Michael calls for changes to circuit design
Michael says car design cannot be blamed for the lack of overtaking in F1
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Tuesday, 10, Nov 2009 09:37
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Sam Michael, technical director for the Williams formula one team, has called for changes to the design and layout of F1 circuits to aid and improve overtaking.
The Aussie believes that the new aerodynamic regulations brought in for the 2009 season to make it easier for drivers to follow and overtake other cars, have worked, although he acknowledges more work needs to be done, particularly with the design of the circuits on the F1 calendar.
"I think that clearly the changes made the cars easier to follow, however, there's a lot of work that still needs to be done," said Michael.
"One of the things that wasn't addressed in the 2009 rule changes was circuit design.
"If you look at tracks like Barcelona where no one overtakes and take exactly the same cars to tracks like Monza, Hockenheim etc, there's plenty of overtaking.
"Organisers need to look closer at creating slower speed corners which feed onto straights and at removing chicanes."
The Williams technical chief used the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi as an example and, while he acknowledges there are some good aspects to the new state-of-the-art track, he is more critical of other sections and thinks the circuit's designers have made some fundamental errors.
"There wasn't good enough racing there and the organisers need to rectify that before next year," said Michael.
"You can't keep blaming car design. The FIA are looking into this now and will hopefully solve the problem."
Looking ahead to the regulation changes in store for the 2010 season, including the refueling ban, a ban on the use of wheel fairing (spinners) and the thinner front tyres, Michael is positive that these alterations are a step in the right direction.
"Narrower front tyres will shift weight distribution rearwards slightly, which will affect the aerodynamics and set-up of the car because of where the tyres position the wake," explained Michael.
"With no refuelling permitted, all the fuel will have to be carried at the start of the race, so the driver will have to manage brakes and tyres more effectively than they've ever done.
"A ban on wheel fairings should also improve the wake behind the car, so drivers can get closer to each other.
"That should help to improve overtaking opportunities."