Formula 1 will enjoy a world premiere this weekend at Zandvoort, with the Dutch circuit trialing an experimental new fake gravel strip that will set a track limit and prevent stones from being thrown on to the track.
Dutch Grand Prix organisers are testing the novel solution at Zandvoort's Turn 12 where a one-metre wide strip of the solid gravel has been set behind the corner's kerb.
A normal gravel trap sits beyond the laminated stones, but the strip itself, which offers minimal grip, will deter drivers from running wide at the second part of the Hans Ernst chicane.
"There is a new development in Turn 12, on the inside, there is gravel but to avoid gravel getting on the track they have made the first metre look like gravel – but it is actually a little bit like tarmac," said Dutch Grand Prix Sporting Director Jan Lammers.
"So you can’t really use it: it’s too slippery and bumpy for it. At least it avoids getting all kinds of debris on the track, so it’s a nice development for other tracks."
McLaren's Lando Norris who had a look at the laminated strip on Wednesday reckoned that drivers will have a choice between keeping within the track's limits or taking more risk but perhaps also falling off.
"The one good thing here, that I guess a lot of drivers like, is there's no run-off," he said. "It is gravel and then a barrier.
"We also hate that, because you don't want to be in the gravel and you don't want to be in the barrier, but at the same time it's down to the driver to take more risks: and whoever wants to take a bigger risk to go quicker and to gain lap time can do it.
"So something like this is also what makes the track enjoyable and makes it more of a track for a driver who can take the most risks."
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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali suggested that Zandvoort's innovative solution – which aims to replace wide tarmac run-off areas - offers a good compromise between setting a track limit and avoiding cars pulling stone onto the surface of the track.
"I do share what Lando says," he said. "You see what happened at Spa in Turn 1. Before it was all asphalt and every one at the first corner was out [and ran wide].
"That is not really what I personally like.
"There is a limit in certain tracks where there is the barrier and you take it easy otherwise you crash.
"The gravel is also a limit, so there's not even a discussion about the track limits to judge if you are in or you are out."
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