An 11th-hour change to the Albert Park Circuit has been immediately reversed by the FIA ahead of final practice for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.
A Friday evening drivers’ briefing in Melbourne resulted in the fourth ‘Straight Mode’ zone on the 5.3km circuit – between Turns 8 and 9 – being expunged.
In Straight Mode, the front and rear wings are activated to reduce drag and downforce to increase speeds, and the fast complex of the circuit was deemed too risky.
The FIA’s single-seater director, Nikolas Tombazis, revealed to media including Motorsport Week that the drivers concluded the downforce was “a bit too low, especially if they were fighting for position with other cars, and they felt they could risk losing control of the car in such conditions.”
Tombazis added: “And as of course, safety is number one for us, we decided, following some analysis, to err on the side of caution and to remove the fourth straight mode zone for here, for Melbourne, starting from FP3, and, of course, for qualifying and the race.”
But then, shortly afterwards, an FIA statement released to media including Motorsport Week read: “Following the feedback received in the last hour from Teams and Drivers, and additional analysis contributed by Teams, the decision to remove Straight Mode zone #4 for Albert Park is rescinded.
“For the avoidance of doubt, this amendment is effective immediately, and Straight Mode activation Zone 4 will be in used in FP3.”
However, this is not necessarily the end of the matter, as the statement concluded by stating: “Further evaluation will take place during and after FP3.”
It is thought that a revolt from the majority of teams and drivers was behind the surprising U-turn.
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