The safety of the Austrian circuit has been in the spotlight since before its arrival in MotoGP in 2016 , especially after last year after three consecutive races had to be red flagged due to serious incidents.
The most important of them occurred last year at the Austrian Grand Prix at the current turn 2, when Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli touched at more than 200 km/h and their projected bikes almost collided with Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales in the curve 3.
At that point, last weekend, Dani Pedrosa went down and Lorenzo Savadori, who was coming from behind, found the #26 KTM in the middle of the line and was catapulted, causing a huge fire between the two bikes.
To avoid repeating an image like that of Viñales and Rossi in 2020, this year a barrier has been placed that runs along the outside of turn 3 . Security improvements are also being studied for 2022.
Ahead of this weekend’s Austrian GP, the Red Bull Ring has unveiled the track layout that will be used by MotoGP from next year. Formula 1 will continue in the current version.
The current turn 2 will become a right-hand chicane which will reduce speed significantly before leading into turn 3. Refurbishment work will start in November.
New design of the Red Bull Ring
“The Red Bull Ring has hosted Formula 1 since 2014 and the Motorcycle World Championship since 2016. Since then thousands of fans have experienced numerous great race weekends at Spielberg.”
“To further enhance the attractiveness and safety of the Austrian Grand Prix circuit, a chicane will be built in the area of the second corner in accordance with the FIA and Formula 1, as well as the FIM , Dorna and AMF .”
“Remodeling work will begin in November and continue through the winter so that the Red Bull Ring can start the 2022 season with the new layout for two-wheel racing,” they said from the circuit.
(Click on the image to see the photos of the MotoGP Styrian GP 2021 race)
