The Vietnamese GP's Pit Lane Will Cut Off Two Corners To Help Racing

The pit lane for the recently announced Vietnamese Grand Prix has been specifically designed to try and generate more exciting races
The Vietnamese GP's Pit Lane Will Cut Off Two Corners To Help Racing

In 2020, Formula 1 will visit Vietnam for the first time with a race located in the capital city of Hanoi. Part street circuit, part purpose-built facility, the track layout will have corners inspired by those already in place on other circuits and a very, very long straight - 1.5km long, to be precise. However, perhaps the most interesting feature is its pit lane, which is a lot less boring than it sounds.

That’s because the pit entry and pit exit completely cut across the final corner and the first corner respectively, both of which are quite slow. That means that taking to the pit lane will be quicker than staying on the track (until drivers have to engage the pit limiter, anyway). So, how exactly will this improve the racing?

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This season, a criticism of F1 has been that too many races have been easily doable on a one-stop strategy. That’s because teams would rather stretch out the life of the tyres than risk losing time and track position with a pit stop. It’s not the most exciting strategy as it leads to lots of tyre saving, which means drivers going slower and being unwilling to jeopardise overheating their tyres by engaging in fun, entertaining activities, such as overtaking each other.

By having a short pit lane in Vietnam, organisers are hoping to reduce the time drivers lose by pitting. Less time lost in the pits - combined with a track where overtaking looks like it’s going to be plentiful - could well make strategy where drivers have to pit multiple times more attractive. Multiple pit stops mean more different ways for teams to tackle a race and, theoretically, a higher chance of exciting races developing. Which is what we all want, right?

It’s a very simple way of trying to make things better without the need for artificial methods like DRS, or complicated and expensive rule changes. Will it work? Frustratingly, have to wait until April 2020 to find out.

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Comments

Anonymous

But will it be enough to get me watching F1 again?

11/10/2018 - 15:42 |
38 | 8
Simon Wyatt (four arm squad)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I feel your pain, but some of he races this season were really good

11/10/2018 - 17:09 |
18 | 0
Marco Q (hi)

People don’t like this track. I love it.

11/10/2018 - 15:57 |
4 | 0

I think it will be another Azerbajaan, looks crap on paper but produces incredible racing

11/10/2018 - 16:52 |
4 | 2
Alex Webster

This what I like to see, tracks being specifically designed for good racing. With the cars being so wide and most tracks being so narrow, it’s not surprising that overtaking is so hard. Go Hanoi!

11/10/2018 - 16:44 |
16 | 0
Anonymous

Nice

11/10/2018 - 17:09 |
0 | 0
Ilario P.

Am I the only one that think this section looks like a d*ck…

11/10/2018 - 18:44 |
26 | 4

avus …. vietnam edition

11/10/2018 - 21:36 |
8 | 0
B-To

What would it take me to watch F1 again?… Something like this:

11/10/2018 - 19:44 |
6 | 4
B-To

In reply to by B-To

Its supposed to be a gif from Speed Racer… Sorry

11/10/2018 - 19:49 |
8 | 2
Griffin Mackenzie

Reminds me a bit of Edmonton’s F1 track but stretched out lol

11/10/2018 - 20:05 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

So they literally took AVUS, ripped some corners off from other tracks and called it a day? How original

11/10/2018 - 20:12 |
2 | 6
UnknownCat13

Formula Drift>Formula 1

11/10/2018 - 22:33 |
0 | 6
slevo beavo

Hopefully it’s good but I can’t stand all these road races. Can’t beat a proper race track in my book

11/11/2018 - 09:20 |
0 | 2