Before kicking off the first day of action at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the organization announced that an innovative video technology system will be put to the test during Friday’s Formula 2 free practice session.
Screens have been installed on the left hand side of turns 13, 16 and 19 to show a video image reflecting what the track conditions are like in the following high-speed, low-visibility turns.
The objective is that these images can warn the pilots about any incident or danger that there is in the next curve.
It has not yet been confirmed if the screens will be active in the first two practice sessions of Formula 1, but if the test in F2 does not give problems, it is likely that they will remain active.
Mercedes driver George Russell , director of the Drivers’ Association ( GPDA ), said he was happy with the idea, but said the only way to know if it helps is to test it.
The Briton believes that if this novel system works in Saudi Arabia, then the concept could be implemented on other street circuits on the calendar.
“I think we will have to test it and see how it works. Only when we get out on the track can we give feedback on it,” he said when asked by Motorsport.com about the idea.
“Sometimes solutions like this work very well and sometimes they don’t. We know that visibility at circuits like this is not the best, so I think the more the FIA can do to help us, the more beneficial it will be.”
“I can’t say anything at the moment, just that it’s quite an intriguing development and if it works we could potentially see it in Baku, Monaco and Singapore as well.”
“If you reduce danger, risk and improve safety, we will all be happy,” concluded George Russell.
McLaren driver Lando Norris added: “I think we have to wait and see how it works out, it’s a very fast section.
“We still don’t have a lot of time to look at the screens and see what’s going on, but we’ll see. If it turns out to be something positive, then I’m sure we can try to implement it more times for the rest of the season.”
