1 MAKING THE GRADE
OF THE 41 FIA approved Grade 1
tracks from around the world, only
Melbourne’s Albert Park is up to
the correct standards in terms of
Australian tracks. The Adelaide
Parklands circuit is only rated at
Grade 3. It’s no longer applicable
to host F1 given it doesn’t attain
Grade 1 status.
2 F IGHTING TERRAIN
At Bahrain, sand posed a
significant problem given that
the track is in the middle of the
desert. So a sticky substance was
sprayed onto the dunes to stop
the sand blowing onto the track.
3 SA FETY FIRST
The FIA decreed that no
sanctioned track could have
a straight longer than 2km –
allowing the Döttinger Höhe at
the ’Ring to remain. This was after
fatal crashes on the 6km-long
Mulsanne straight at Le Mans
where Group C prototypes were
reaching in excess of 400km/h.
Chicanes were added from 1990
onwards. Mount Panorama also
included the ‘Chase’ to meet
FIA rules and break up Conrod
Straight before the 1987 WTCC.
4 RUNNING OFF
Modern, Grade 1 tracks require
masses of run-off area before
all the usual gravel traps and
tyre barriers (or SAFER barriers
at high-speed ovals, which are
designed to limit damage to the
car). Long gone are the days of
the famous Nurburgring Carousel.
5 DRAINING ISSUE
Dispersing water on a racetrack
(to stop pooling and prevent cars
from aquaplaning) is achieved
by creating a slight (unnoticeable
to your eye) crown in the road,
directing water to drains.
On Track
5 considerations