Catalunya busy with new safety upgrades

All track activities at the Circuit de Catalunya until the 30th of January are focused on the adaptation to the new safety measures required by the FIA and the FIM for the annual homologation of the layout, a requirement that all international circuits in the current calendar must now fulfill.

Additionally, the pit lane is being re-paved, something that was not performed in 2005 when the entire track underwent an complete asphalt makeover. The surface of the pavement is 10,000m2, with the same quality and characteristics of the track. The area that locates the variation from National track to Grand Prix track will also be paved.

The modifications are as follows:

Elf corner, end of straight	50% of run-off area is paved.
Renault Curvone	Renewal of gravel. Surface renewed: 13,800m2.
Repsol corner	Double barrier of protection tires.
Between Repsol and Seat corners	New external rumble strip.
Between Seat and WÃ¼rth corners	Racing line limitation system with Astroturf artificial grass.
WÃ¼rth corner	Nuevo rumble strip in the entrance. With Astroturf in the exit.
Campsa corner	Nuevo rumble strip in the interior with Astroturf. Double barrier of protection tires.
Stadium Area Banc Sabadell corner	Longer rumble strip in the entrance to the corner.
Stadium Area Europcar corner	FIA layout: Additional rumble strip “Domed" entrance to RACC chicane.
Stadium Area Europcar corner	MotoGP layout: New interior rumble strip.
New Holland corner	Longer rumble strip in the entrance. With Astroturf in the exit.

These measures are the consequence of the report that was submitted by the top bodies in Grand Prix security Charlie Whiting from the FIA and Claude Danis from the FIM after the respective Grand Prix were held.

For Ramon Praderas, General Director of the Circuit “these improvements are being carried out with in complete unanimity thanks to the excellent relationship of the RACC sports director and Circuit advisor, Aman Barfull, with Mr. Whiting and Mr. Danis. From the Circuit de Catalunya, we appreciate the fact that both entities provided suggestions on how to improve our racetrack, specifically to maintain the standard of maximum security for the riders and drivers"

“Although the modifications may seem scarce, we have sacrificed days of track activities to work on a circuit as required by our philosophy – which is to be one of the best. In the near future, there will be novelties focused on the spectators. On February 1, 2 and 3 the Circuit and fans have their first out of five racing appointments with Formula One. Two more additional sessions in February and another one once they return from Bahrain in April. It will be the real arrival of Formula One to Europe and the housewarming for the Gran Premio de EspaÃ±a TelefÂ¢nica to be held the following week, on April 27th."

On February 1, 2, and 3, the Circuit will see the presence of most of the Formula One teams for a pore season test, with special interest on team Renault and the two times World Champion Fernando Alonso