After the tragic death of Luis Salom, as a result of injuries sustained in a crash during Moto2 FP2, the track layout is to be modified for the remainder of the MotoGP weekend. The event is to continue, in accordance with the wishes of the family of Luis Salom, as well as the riders and teams.
The track configuration is to be changed, and the riders in all three classes will use the layout used by Formula One, which has a much sharper corner at Turn 10, the rounded corner being replaced with something approaching a hairpin.
Now instead of the flowing into Turn 12, riders will also use the chicane that replaces it for F1, adding a tighter right-hander followed by a sharp left-right combination. The new layout is shown in a graphic above.
To allow the riders to get accustomed to the new layout, all three classes will be given 15 minutes extra track time in FP3. This means that FP3 will start at 8:40am for the Moto3 class, and last until 9:35am. MotoGP FP3 will run between 9:50a, and 10:50am, while Moto2 FP3 will take place between 11:05am and 12:05pm.
Below is the press release issued by Dorna explaining the changes made:
New Track Configuration and New Time Schedule
As agreed with Luis Salom’s family, the riders, teams and the Safety Commission, it has been decided that the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya is to go ahead.
In a Safety Commission meeting attended by Marc Marquez, Andrea Iannone, Pol Espargaro, Jack Miller, Bradley Smith, Alvaro Bautista, Aleix Espargaro, Andrea Dovizioso, Tito Rabat and Cal Crutchlow, it has been agreed to change the configuration of the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit to race for the remainder of the event on the F1 track configuration.
This layout was tested 2 years ago in an official MotoGP Test – back then this configuration wasn’t elected for Grand Prix Racing as deemed less attractive and demanding in terms of sport than the one usually used.
As riders will have to deal with a new track configuration, practice time will be extended with a new schedule for Saturday.
Source: Dorna
This article was originally published on MotoMatters, and is republished here on Asphalt & Rubber with permission by the author.
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