During the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, both George Russell and Alex Albon crashed dangerously at Turns 6-7. The Mercedes driver’s crash was particularly dangerous, with his car bouncing off the barrier and onto the racing line of a live track.
This year, the Albert Park street circuit has seen several changes around this area after the safety concerns raised last season. For one, the barrier has been moved and angled differently to stop a car bouncing back into the track. Additionally, sections of the kerbing have been slightly flattened to reduce any potential instability caused by the bumps, while adjustments have been made to the gravel traps, bringing them closer to the kerbs.
Russell, who found himself on the racing line when his car came to a stop on its side after the crash, has now responded to these changes.
“Yeah, I know there’s been changes to the circuit through that corner,” he told the media in Australia, including Motorsport.com. “There’s been a few big crashes there and obviously that was, yeah, it was a big one in itself. I’m fortunate I didn’t get collected.
“Afterwards I think the duty lies on the FIA, to be honest. In this regard, I think the people around the circuit have done everything they can to make that corner slightly better if you were to have a crash so… You know, it’s part of racing, it’s the dangers that we involve ourselves with. It’s when you push the limits and you’re going for everything, it sometimes bites. But I trust the team.”
Sparks fly from George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Explaining the full extent of the changes, an FIA spokesperson said the following:
“Following a review of last year’s event at Albert Park, several changes to Turn 6 and Turn 7 have been approved in collaboration with the local ASN and the grand prix organisers.
“The kerb at the exit of Turn 6 through entry and apex of Turn 7 has been replaced with a single specification of negative kerb.
“This adjustment removes the transition from negative to positive kerb that was present in this area, which previously had been addressed by local modification (grinding) of the kerb to provide a smoother transition between kerb types. The intent is to remove the possibility of this transition destabilising a car.
“Additionally, the gravel trap now extends to the back of the kerb and the barrier on the left-hand side of Turn 7 has also been moved and re-profiled to mitigate the possibility of a car coming to rest in a position near the racing line following an impact with the energy absorbing barrier in this area.
“These changes were proposed based on feedback from the FIA Safety Department following their ongoing analysis of all circuits, as well as input from drivers and teams. They aim to provide improvement in safety whilst maintaining corner dynamics and exciting racing.”
