Drivers have begun complaining of safety changes made to Circuit de la Sarthe ahead of this month’s running of the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans.
FIA officials decided to add a larger run off area at the final right hander of the iconic Porsche Curves, just before the track shoots into Corvette Corner. Corvette Racing driver Jan Magnussen, who missed the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans after crashing out at the Porsche curves in qualifying, was among those drivers critical of the changes.
“I’m not necessary a fan of moving the walls and the barriers further away,” Magnussen told Motorsport.com, “If you move them miles away, this track becomes like any Formula 1 circuit and anyone can be fast.”
Magnussen has a good point. Many Formula 1 circuits, particularly the newer tracks, have large run-off areas. This means that the penalty for pushing hard and going wide or off track is minimal, whereas with a circuit with walls it could mean the end of your race or weekend. It therefore reduces the amount of skill and bravery needed to be fast – an especially important factor on an old school circuit like Le Sarthe.
“The Porsche Curves have always been one of the most iconic places at Le Mans and this is going to make it a little bit less thrilling,” said three-time Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer. I think we have to be careful what we do this track.”
Via Motorsport
Comments
Circuit de la Sarthe used to be my favorite track in Forza, closely followed by Road America. Something like 80% of a lap around Lemans is spent at full throttle, quite a test for man and machine.
A safer off track excursion is no reward for your overall race performance, but having fewer yellow flags or race stoppages-Red flagged makes for a more enjoyable race for competitors and fans. I personally don’t like to see cars destroyed or drivers injured or worst. Anything that makes for a safer race is to be employed.
As far as fast, doubtful that anyone participating as a driver in a Le Mans race is particularly more skilled or less brave then other participants. This is not a Spec-Miata race.
Ask Tommy Milner about Le Mans and how much fun he has there. This a sports car circuit for drivers who know what they are doing, not an F1 parade track. The key word in this article is “FIA”. It was a disaster when the ACO joined forces with them and if they are not watched and thwarted, the IA will destroy sports car racing – again!
I’m lucky enough to be able to drive the Le Mans circuit when I go to the DIY store(!) so I know it pretty well and I don’t think it needs any FIA F1 style tweeking!
Reg; “therefore reduces the amount of skill and bravery needed to be fast” Really! No amount of run-off will make you faster. F1 hasn’t patented ‘Run-off’ areas. Nor is it an F1 edict to have a prescribed minimum amount of run-off. They run plenty of street tracks/courses that are hard against the wall with little to no run-off areas.
it will be interesting to see how Magnussen does this year, last year his skills weren’t up to the task, run-off or not.
While a big F1 fan, it has become a parade except for pit strategies. The race is generally won in Q3. Indy it is not.