Safety changes approaching on the Guia route in Macau

Le Macau Grand Prix 2018 and more particularly the FIA ​​World Cup event F3, had seen the terrible accident of the German Sophia Flörsch, who had taken off on a “sausage” vibrator after having already hit the safety rails, before flying away and crashing into a hut sheltering photographers.

Despite the incredible violence of the shock, Sophia Flörsch escaped well, although she suffered a fracture of a cervical vertebra. After this episode which could have had a much more serious outcome, the FIA ​​wanted to make safety improvements on the Guia track, with a view to the next Macau Grand Prix (November 14-17), which will notably host the 2019 single-seaters. of the FIA ​​F3.

During a press conference held this Thursday, event officials confirmed several changes to the track, in order to take into account the extra power of the new single-seaters. The circuit will thus receive FIA ​​Grade II approval.

“In accordance with FIA recommendations, which were based in part on numerous computer simulations, upgrades will be carried out at the Reservoir, Mandarin Oriental Bend, Lisboa Bend, Guia Hill and 'R' Bend areas, specifies the organization.

These include increasing the “buffer zone” at Lisboa Bend, adding impact protection foam and new crash barriers at various points around the circuit. »

Another important modification, “electronic flags” will be put in place this year, in addition to the traditional flags waved by the track marshals.

In addition to the FIA ​​F3 World Cup, the Macau Grand Prix will also host the FIA ​​GT World Cup, as well as a WTCR round.