 | « Back to article | Print this article |
The Marina Bay circuit, home to the Singapore Grand Prix, will undergo key changes to increase overtaking opportunities following criticism by teams at last year's inaugural Formula One race.
Minor adjustments will be made to three turns and surface improvements undertaken at three other locations on the track, organisers said on Wednesday. Revisions will also be made to pit lane entry as well as one runoff area.
"While the circuit and the event exceeded expectations around the world, as with any brand new event there are always things we know we can do better," Michael McDonough, technical and race operations director, said in a statement.
The Singapore Grand Prix was hailed as a massive success by fans and participants, including Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone, although several drivers admitted overtaking chances on the nighttime street circuit were limited.
Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo, however, criticised what he said was a "circus" track with limited scope for overtaking and a safety car that had "humiliated" the sport.
Adjustments would be made to turns one, seven and 14 to allow drivers to overtake easier, while surface improvements would be made at turns five, six and seven, organisers said.
Despite being 15th on the grid, Spaniard Fernando Alonso pulled off a shock victory for Renault in the September race but admitted the use of the safety car had worked in his favour.
