F1 to trial video screen system for blind corners at Jeddah

F1 could trial a new video screen system this weekend in Jeddah to help warn drivers of a track situation behind a fast blind corner.

The system is expected to be trialed during the Friday afternoon F2 practice session, and if the test proves satisfactory it could remain active for F1 later today.

Saudi Arabia, Grand Prix organisers have installed screens on the left-hand side of the track ahead of Turns 13, 16 and 19. The screens are intended to act like a warning system by providing drivers with footage of the track condition that may lie up ahead but out of sight of competitors.

GPDA director George Russell, who was caught up in a crash last December at Jeddah, precisely because he was given no warning of an incident that occurred behind a blind corner, welcomed the idea.

"I think we will have to test it and see, and we'll only get the feedback once we go out there," he said, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"Sometimes solutions like this go pretty well, sometimes not so well. We know the difficulties of visibility on a circuit like this, and I think the more the FIA can do to help us, it is only going to be beneficial.

"I can't comment quite at this moment, but it could be quite an intriguing implementation and, if it works, then potentially we could see it in Baku, Monaco, Singapore maybe.

"If it reduces the danger, risk and improves safety, then for all of us then we are happy."

Mclaren's Lando Norris wanted to experiment the system firsthand before judging its efficiency.

"I think it is kind of just wait and see, as it's such a quick section," said the Briton.

"There might not be a lot of time to look at a TV screen and see what's going on. But we'll see. If it is good, then I'm sure we can try to implement it more for the rest of the season."

• Read also: FIA details changes to Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Yesterday, after conducting a track walk of Jeddah's street circuit and taking stock of the changes destined to improve the sight line in several sections of the track, Carlos Sainz saw only "marginal" improvements.

"I was commenting with Charles that they just moved the wall but the driving line will still be close to the wall. Which means our visibility doesn’t improve," said the Ferrari driver.

"Which for me just shows that we need to keep making this relationship with the FIA tighter, better because we expected a step in the right direction.

"In my opinion, this is not much better. It’s marginally, very small, tiny bit smallest ever better."

Haas' Mick Schumacher also considered the changes as "very minor".

"Still some of the corners that we have could have been just a straight," he said.

"It would have been easier, just less numbers also to remember. I think that it’s something that will probably evolve with time."

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