The FIA has shared details regarding changes to Zandvoort circuit along with escape roads, DRS zones, stewards names and more for F1 Dutch GP.
Having made its return last year, Zandvoort is ready to host its second F1 Dutch GP in recent times. Eduardo Freitas returns as the FIA Race Director for this weekend, as the track limits is defined as white lines with corners named.
But the director has given instructions for using the escape roads for multiple turns like Turn 1, Turn 8-9 and Turn 11-12. It goes like:
- Escape Road at Turn 1: If a driver overshoots the corner at Turn 1 there is a small road along the front of the tyre barrier which leads back on to the track at the exit of Turn 1, please ensure that your drivers use this when necessary.
- Escape Road at Turn 8: If a driver overshoots the corner at Turn 8 there is a small road along the front of the tyre barrier which leads back on to the track at Turn 9, please ensure that your drivers use this when necessary.
- Escape Road at Turn 11: If a driver overshoots the corner at Turn 11 there is a small road along the front of the tyre barrier which leads back on to the track at Turn 12, please ensure that your drivers use this when necessary.
In terms of the changes made to the circuit, there is an interesting one where the organisers have filled the gravel trap around Turn 11-12 with epoxy for about one meter. This is a trial where they have glued the gravel so that it doesn’t spill on track when a driver goes off. The full changes goes:
- The exit of kerb at Turn 12 has been extended on driver’s RHS.
- The gravel adjacent to the track on the exit of Turn 11 up to mid-way through Turn 12 has been filled with Epoxy for an approximate width of 1 meter on driver’s LHS.
Moving on to the two DRS zones, the FIA along with the organisers decided to use last year’s idea of having the zone in the sweeping banked corner leading to the final corner. The idea was dropped in 2021 due to safety reasons as they were not sure of the outcome.
But with an underwhelming scene last year, the FIA is revisiting with the idea this year in the hope to spice up the grand prix. As a result, the second zone detection is 20m after Turn 12, while activation is 40m after Turn 13.
At the same time, the first zone’s detection is at the entry of Turn 10 and activation is 50m after Turn 10. Regarding the four FIA stewards, the team will be led by Dr. Gerd Ennser, who has Loic Bacquelaine, Emanuele Pirro and Marc van Geel.
Solución en Zandvoort para evitar que grava vaya a pista cuando un coche va por el interior de T12. Yo no puedo despegarlas, veremos un F1
In Zandvoort they glued the gravel to avoid stones going on the track when a car cut T12. I can't move it, let's see if F1 cars can#f1 pic.twitter.com/pBHfIdrn7h
— Albert Fabrega (@AlbertFabrega) September 1, 2022
Here’s the FIA Race Directors’ note in full: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2022%20Dutch%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Race%20Director’s%20Event%20Notes.pdf