The Zandvoort Formula 1 circuit has installed an experimental solution for the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. The idea is to introduce ‘fake’ gravel areas, which is intended to reduce the risk of red flags.
As exclusive images from Motorsport.com show, the solution has been incorporated at Turn 12, the second part of the Hans Ernst chicane.
This novelty comes as a result of the problems that occurred in last year’s Grand Prix, in which there were several red flags due to the gravel that dragged the single-seaters onto the track.
Zandvoort didn’t want to set up asphalt run-offs, so the organization has created a special one-meter-wide zone that runs close to the kerb of Turn 12. There, the gravel has been covered with a resinous-type material. Its appearance continues to be gravel, but in reality it is a totally solid surface.
That means riders who drift a bit out of the corner won’t be going over loose gravel, which should help drastically reduce dirt entering the track.
The solid area presents a slippery and irregular surface, which implies that it will offer a derisory grip. This is intended to prevent drivers from trying to gain an advantage by using that extra metre, as they will have no grip, and the real gravel would be too close.
Behind this “fake” gravel is the area of normal gravel, which will slow down cars that run off the line.
The sporting director of the Dutch GP, Jan Lammers , considered that, should the idea work, Zandvoort’s solution could be adopted on other circuits.
“They have made the first meter look like gravel to prevent real stones from entering the track, but it is actually very similar to tarmac,” he said during a pre-event with title sponsor Heineken on Wednesday.
“You can’t really use [the resinous area] – it’s too slippery and bumpy. But at least it prevents all kinds of debris from being on the track, so it’s a good move for other circuits.”
From the beginning, the organizers of the Dutch GP have wanted to keep the traditional gravel sections of the circuit, instead of replacing them with asphalt run-offs.
McLaren’s Lando Norris said on Wednesday that Zandvoort ‘s challenge was heightened because the drivers knew there was no room for error. “The good thing about it, which I guess a lot of drivers like, is there’s no escaping it,” he said. “It’s gravel and then a barrier.”
“We hate that too, because you don’t want to go into the gravel or hit the barrier, but at the same time it depends on the risks the driver wants to take; whoever wants to risk more to go faster and gain lap time, can do it.”
“So something like that also makes the track enjoyable, and makes it a circuit where a driver can take more risks.”
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes gravel zones are something the sport needs to maintain, because they help better define the boundaries of the track.
“I share what Lando says,” he said. “You see what happened in Spa at Turn 1. Before it was all tarmac and everyone in the first corner went off (and went long). That’s not what I like, personally.”
“On some circuits the limit is the barrier, and you have to take it easy so you don’t crash. Gravel is also a barrier, so you don’t even have to discuss the limits of the track to judge whether you are in or out.”
