Sebastian Vettel says officials at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya should “sort out” the final chicane, in the wake of changes made to Turn 10 for the 2021 season.
Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the venue since 1991 and one of the most major changes occurred in 2007 when a right-left-right chicane was introduced in the final sector.
It replaced a fast right-hander and also meant speeds were reduced through the final sweeping curve at the venue.
This year’s event will be the first at Barcelona on the revised Turn 10 complex, with a sweeping left-hand turn replacing the tighter corner that has been used since 2004.
“It is actually quite exciting, the track also has changed, Turn 10 has a new layout, so we’ll give it a go and see how it goes,” Vettel said on returning to Barcelona.
“It looks different to all the years we have been here, so we’ll see when we get on track.
“The only one I guess to sort out would be that chicane in the last sector to bring back the last two corners, but yeah, definitely not for this year but hope [so] for the future.”
Spain’s two home representatives on the Formula 1 grid also suggested trialling the circuit with the older layout.
“Since the chicane was introduced, I don’t think the overtaking has really improved,” said Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
“I don’t think it really helped the overtaking, so I would go for the more fun version for the drivers and probably also for the fans.
“I think the racing has changed since back then, now we have DRS, maybe the DRS power would be a bit more powerful if you exit out of the corner a bit quicker.”
Alpine’s Fernando Alonso added that “probably as a driver you’d prefer to have the two fast corners, just to maximise the potential of the F1 car and the aerodynamics.
“If it was changed a couple of years ago, there was a reason behind [it] and I guess that reason is still applicable now. I am happy to race with any of the configurations.”
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