Resulting from building work, the sequence of 4 close to 90-degree corners in the direction of the top of the lap which led the observe underneath a grandstand has been eliminated for this yr’s race.
As a replacement is a brand new, longer straight part that leads from the mild left-hander at Flip 15 to the tight right-hander at what was once Flip 20, however is now Flip 16.
In addition to making a a lot faster lap time, the modifications cut back the demand on brakes and also will assist drivers to maintain the tyres alive over a full lap.
“I believe it is going to be simpler on the tyres as a result of all of the braking and traction zones and the degradation that comes from that ought to simply be a bit simpler,” Aston Martin efficiency director Tom McCullough instructed Autosport.
“Usually what occurred was, by the top of the lap, as a result of there was not a whole lot of restoration time for the tyres, your rears, particularly, have been completely stinking scorching on the {old} format.
“What this may do is enable them to chill a bit, and your tyres will not be as unhealthy in these previous few corners. So really it makes life simpler I believe from the tyre aspect.
“You’re nonetheless going to be in all probability at max downforce across the circuit as a result of every little thing else, that is not going to actually change an excessive amount of.”
Williams’ head of car efficiency Dave Robson urged that observe revisions will not damage the FW45, which has normally been favoured by high-speed tracks.
Automobiles will race in the direction of the brand new Flip 16 (backside of image) earlier than turning proper and driving previous the brand new Bayfront Grandstand at Flip 17
Photograph by: Uncredited
“The change in format in all probability helps us as a result of 4 corners have been taken away,” he mentioned. “In order that’s in all probability useful.
“However I believe, extra severely, that can change the character of that circuit rather a lot. Not a lot by way of the downforce stage, however by way of braking, which is all the time tough there.
“The power the brakes need to cope with, the rear tyre degradation, is all the time actually tough by the point we get to the final sector.
“So to have these corners taken away from that a part of the circuit does change the attribute of the circuit rather a lot for everybody, clearly. Hopefully, that performs barely extra to the strengths of this automobile.”
Alpine driver Esteban Ocon indicated that the brand new Flip 16 may create an overtaking alternative.
“That was very, excellent information,” the Frenchman mentioned of the modifications.
“On the observe that you do not essentially take pleasure in a lot driving round, for them to vary it, is excellent information.
“Hopefully [it will help] overtaking, which was unimaginable earlier than. I am fairly certain we’re going to have the ability to get nearer behind, and that is going to vary a whole lot of issues.”
An fascinating by-product of a faster lap time and sooner finish to the lap is that it provides groups much less time to make technique calls in security automobile and VSC conditions, that are frequent in Singapore.