A number of track changes have been carried out at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit ahead of the 2023 edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, race promoter Saudi Motorsport Company has confirmed.
Made in cooperation with track design company Tilke GmbH, following consultation with F1, the FIA and drivers, the modifications aim to further improve driver sightlines in specific areas of the circuit, alongside the refashioning of various kerbs, “to deliver smoother, safer, and even more exciting racing” with F1’s new era of cars.
For next year’s event, special ‘Rumble Lines’ – which ‘shake’ a car, causing traction to be lost and slowing it down – have been added at Turns 3, 14, 19, 20 and 21, while bevelled kerbs have been added in place of steel ones at Turns 4, 8, 10, 11, 17 and 23.
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As for driver sightlines, Turns 14 and 20 have seen the shifting of the fence wall on the right- and left-hand sides respectively by 7.5m (T14) and 5m (T20), with an extra ‘Rumble Line’ implemented between the white line and fence wall, while the fence wall has been adjusted at Turns 8 and 10 to give drivers more visibility of the corner ahead.
In the final change, Turns 22 and 23 have seen the ‘S’ shape squeezed via the adjustment of the fence at T23, and the addition of a bevelled kerb – with a view to slowing down the drivers by approximately 50km/h.
Alongside these on-track changes, the wider Jeddah Corniche Circuit complex continues to grow, with the completion of the Marina and Yacht Club and in-field restaurants drawing closer.
Martin Whitaker, Chief Executive of the Saudi Motorsport Company, said: “The evolution of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit continues apace and we are excited to add these further tweaks to our magnificent track as a result of positive consultation with the FIA, F1 and the drivers.
“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.
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“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.”
Saudi Arabia and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit will host the second round of the 2023 F1 World Championship from March 17-19.
