“It’s actually a bit like tarmac,” Dutch GP sporting director explains the idea behind the fake gravel trap on the circuit
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Max Vertappen at the Dutch GP 2021
Last year’s Dutch GP was one to remember. Formula One had last raced in Netherlands back in 1985. After which, the increasing fan following of Max Verstappen eventually led to the Netherlands getting a place in the 2021 calendar. This effectively meant that F1 came to race in the country after almost 36 years. All due to the influence of a young maestro. And surely last years race was one to remember with the Orange Army coming in staggering numbers. I believe that it will be even more crazy this year.
The Zandvoort circuit has always been fun to drive as stated by the drivers. The banking that the circuit has won’t be found in any of the other circuits in the calendar. Last year we saw Max Verstappen go on to win the Dutch GP in style and what a spectacle it was. The whole of Netherlands was orange that day. With spectators using orange smoke flares at every chance that they get, it also gets on the track and lowers visibility for the drivers.
With the fan following that Max Verstappen has this weekend, I wouldn’t be surprised if the authorities red flag the race in order for the excessive fog created by the orange flares deployed by the fans.
In last year’s Dutch GP, the cars were running wide across the kerbs and throwing gravel onto the track which caused red flags in multiple support races in the weekend. To counter that, the track has decided to do something unique. There is a 1 metre line of gravel coated with a resin on turn 12 which makes it look like gravel but is actually very solid. This basically means that running wide won’t bring out any stones on the track. But if a car goes off, then there will be gravel to slow it down. Drivers won’t try to use this resin coated line to their benefit as it will offer minimal grip. The sporting director of the Zandvoort circuit shares a few thoughts on this.
“It avoids getting all kinds of debris on the track,” Dutch GP sporting director Jan Lammers on the fake gravel trap innovation
“To avoid gravel getting on the track, they have made the first metre look like gravel – but it’s actually a bit like tarmac,” he said during a preview event with title sponsor Heineken. He also stated that other tracks could adopt this invention if it proves to be successful.
He also revealed that the drivers cannot abuse the 1 metre line. “You can’t really use it: it’s too slippery and bumpy for cars. But at least it avoids getting all kinds of debris on the track, so it’s a nice development for other tracks,” he continued.
This year’s Dutch GP looks set to be the craziest race so far with the 2022 regulations effective bringing the racing at Zandvoort even closer. It’s always better to have the traditional gravel traps compared to asphalt run offs in my opinion. Drivers are more cautious and the racing has always been better on tracks with gravel traps.
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Varad Joshi
(940 Articles Published)