While everyone agreed that Valencia's debut in the Great Circle last year was not as successful as expected, the Spanish organizers took not of that and changes the layout a little bit. However, most of those changes are safety-related and came as a result of the drivers' input following last year's action in Valencia.
As confirmed by a preview of the European Grand Prix on the FIA official site, the changes were brought both to the running track and the pit section as followed:
- The pit exit has been reworked to bring it to the same level as the track; the wall separating the two has been removed.
- The walls on the apex of turns 3, 9, 10 and 14 have been moved further from the track.
- The kerbs on the apex of turns 4 and 5 have been extended.
- The wall on the left on the exit of turn 5 has been moved back by approximately three metres.
- The openings on the apex of turns 7 and 11 have been closed and additional openings provided on the opposite sides of the track.
- Artificial grass has been installed behind the kerbs on the exit of turns 10 and 14.
- The inner pit lane has been sealed using a high-grip resin.
Action at the 5.419km circuit in Valencia is to start on Friday, at 10 AM local time, with the first press conference and autograph session due to get under way from as early as tomorrow.
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