Magnussen - Australian GP track changes potentially "over the top"
Magnussen - Australian GP track changes potentially "over the top"
Kevin Magnussen has revealed he thought changes to the venue for the Australian Grand Prix were "over the top" upon first viewing.
Albert Park sports a new look for F1's return to Melbourne after missing two years in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a complete revamp of the middle sector.
The track has been widened at numerous points around the lap but the biggest change has seen a new high-speed section added in sector two with the removal of the old turn nine and 10 chicane.
Giving his thoughts on the alterations, Haas driver Magnussen explained: "When I saw the layout on this track, [I thought] maybe some of it was over the top.
"Removing, at least, turn nine and 10, I don't think they needed to do that. But they have made a big effort to make the show better and I think that is a great thing for tracks to try and do their best to improve racing, it is a great thing.
"Let's see how it goes in the race. There are different opinions on what is good racing. Too easily overtaking can be bad as well, it puts everyone in their right position in terms of pace and... it is kind of like a balance.
"Some tracks have just the right balance to still have some racing, still have some action, but also some opportunity to defend."
Explaining how racing can be taken too far, Magnussen added: "If you can't defend, if you just get overtaken, if you are even a little bit slower then that is not a good thing. It is about balance I think so let's see what happens at this track in the race."
Magnussen - New DRS zone will be "pretty full-on"
The new high-speed section incorporates one of four DRS zones on the Albert Park layout, with drivers opening their rear wings around a flat-out left-hander.
With turn nine now the fast left-right chicane at the end of the section, Magnussen was asked if the changes will promote better racing action than previous years.
"I think it will be a little better," replied Magnussen.
"Into turn nine, I don't think you are going to be able to overtake.
"You may do, but I am not sure. I think that corner, with DRS, the bend before turn nine is going to be pretty full-on I think with DRS on.
"I think the cars are going to be quite loose there, but we will see. I think it will be a little better and also with the cars, in Jeddah, we saw more overtakes than we did last year in the race so the cars are definitely better at following and I think overtaking, even if they didn't change the track, you'd see more overtaking."
Daily poll
Will Max Verstappen break his duck and finally take victory in Australia on Sunday?
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Audi agree STAR driver contract as Mercedes driver tipped for new F1 seat THIS season - GPFans F1 Recap
- 1 hour ago
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
- 2 hours ago
McLaren leading fight for HUGE cash injection
- 3 hours ago
Newey set to announce STUNNING Red Bull departure
- Yesterday 17:57
Newey Red Bull exit wish CONFIRMED as F1 guru's reasons revealed
- Yesterday 20:57
F1 legend reveals 'FLOOD' of death threats after controversial decision
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
'Disaster waiting to happen': F1 star demands FIA safety OVERHAUL after terrifying crash
F1 pundit claims Mercedes HARSHLY treated by rivals
Kravitz attacked with CAKE in Ferrari celebrations
Perez makes HUGE Verstappen claim to give rivals title hope
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860