Former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz has pitched a plan to improve the much-maligned Monaco Grand Prix by outlining how to change the circuit layout.
The iconic Principality street circuit came under fire once again in the aftermath of last weekend’s race, won by Lando Norris.
Despite the minimum two pitstop rule implemented by the FIA, the race saw just two on-track overtakes, two less than last year.
It has once again reopened the yearly debate as to whether the circuit, which has now hosted 82 Grands Prix, has any relevance in modern day F1.
But three-time podium-finisher Wurz, who is chairman of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association [GPDA], has taken to his social media to produce his ideas on improving the circuit, via his own track design company – Wurz Design.
The first part of the circuit the 51-year-old outlined was the Nouvelle Chicane, and moving it around a third of the way between its current spot and the following left-hander, Tabac.
Articulating the reasons behind this suggestion, Wurz said: “I am very convinced, from my own experience watching the races and talking to my fellow drivers, that moving the chicane later, which physically with the constraints any city has, should be possible,” he said.
“It means the defending for this corner – which is quite easy to do, with the kink and the bumps – will become more difficult.”
The second alteration would be a revised profile of the Rascasse corner, the penultimate on the circuit, moving the apex of the corner a few yards out from its current position.
“When this apex comes further out, the entry line will definitely change,” Wurz said.
“You will open the corner much more for a divebomb, and that means any driver ahead will either have to defend or accept he leaves the door open.
“If you’re defending, you will come out much slower, so you’re creating a train behind you, and the pressure on all of the drivers will simply increase.
“I think this is a small trick, quite easy to realise, but should at least engage in more fighting, more intense pressure, and perhaps overtaking.”
Famous hairpin to change under Wurz alterations
The third and final suggestion made would be to widen the entry and exit points at the Fairmont hairpin, opining that drivers will be more likely to attempt to daring overtake.
“It means drivers coming down have an easier opportunity to do a divebomb,” Wurz reasoned. “It means the lead driver will have to defend more, so he will be slower.
“But the hairpin is very tight, so we need to also enlarge the track on the exit, lose the kerb, and have asphalt all the way to this physical wall, so we have the turning radius.”
Wurz’s detailed plan may be music to the ears of Christian Horner, who reiterated to media, including Motorsport Week, his own views on the track changing.
The Red Bull boss said that F1 “needs to move with the times,” adding it would be “really cool to have at least one area where there was a chance of an overtake.”
READ MORE – McLaren boss suggests current F1 cars, not strategy the ‘main limitation’ in Monaco
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