Jeddah reveals safety changes to circuit for 2023 event

© XPB 

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix organisers have implemented a few minor changes to the event's Jeddah Corniche Circuit for next year's race.

This year, Formula 1 returned to a slightly revised track in Jeddah, where changes were made after the inaugural event in December 2021 to improve sight lines in several areas around the 6.175 km facility as well as the width of the track's final corner.

But further ameliorations to driver sight lines and safety have been added at the high-speed venue that will host its third F1 race on March 19 next year.

‘Rumble Lines’ have been added at Turns 3, 14, 19, 20 and 21, while beveled kerbs have been installed in place of steel ones at Turns 4, 8, 10, 11, 17 and 23.

Regarding driver sightlines, the fence walls on the left and right at Turns 14 and 20 have been shifted back, and rumble lines have been installed. The walls have also been pushed back at Turns 8 and 10 where visibility has been improved

The final changes involve the high-speed Turns 22 and 23 complex where the ‘S’ shape has been squeezed thanks to an adjustment of the fence at T23, and where a beveled kerb has been added. The end result will reduce speeds through the sequence by approximately 50 km/h.

"The previous two races here in Jeddah have already confirmed the JCC as the world’s fastest and most exciting street circuit and these new developments will only add to the spectacle that fans can expect to see next March when F1 returns to our city," said Saudi Motorsport Company Chief Executive Martin Whitaker.

"It is vital for any circuit to listen and learn from those racing on it and use their feedback to grow and improve at all times.

"We are confident these changes will lead to even faster, more exciting and – crucially – safe racing and we can’t wait to see the world’s greatest drivers battle it out here under the lights again in 2023."

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