New final corner better for overtaking – Rosberg

2016 Malaysian Grand Prix

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Nico Rosberg believes the re-profiled final corner at Sepang will create new opportunities for overtaking.

The inside of the corner has been raised to create an off-camber section, altering the ideal.

Interactive: See how Sepang has changed for 2016
“Turn 15 is interesting,” said Rosberg, “you can now try several different lines if you’re attacking the guy in front, so that will be good for overtaking.”

The entire track has also been resurfaced and other alterations made to some corners Rosberg gave the changes the thumbs-up.

“The new track surface is really enjoyable to drive,” he said. “Challenging, but with good grip.”

“It’s tough to get the setup right with such an unknown element as new tarmac, but we’re on the right track.”

Carlos Sainz Jnr was also enthusiastic about the changes.

“The fact that the track has been resurfaced means it’s like being at a new track,” he said. “We’ve been around three seconds quicker already compared to last year and it’s still only free practice.”

“It’s definitely being a new challenge, with faster lap times, and I have to say that the car feels amazing to drive as there’s a lot of grip out there, so I’m enjoying it.”

2016 Malaysian Grand Prix

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    Keith Collantine
    Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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    14 comments on “New final corner better for overtaking – Rosberg”

    1. I don’t see it, but then I’m not in the car. Raising the inside line surely dissuades drivers from taking that line, leaving less of the corner to attack, thereby hampering overtaking, or am I seeing this wrong?

      1. I think the trick is that because the racing line is on the outside of the straight, you can have a go at passing around the outside (as the inside driver would have to leave a bit space and therefore be not on the best line) @hahostolze

        1. But it’s easier to defend the outside, especially now the line is closer to the outside, and force the attacking driver wide?

    2. So no one should worry if he’s behind them, because he has trouble overtaking anyways

    3. Well given he has never won a F1 race where he was required to overtake someone (ever) you can understand him possibly not being too sure about what improves such chances :)

        1. this man is paid millions, overtaking in F1 is the pinnacle, I’m sure he understands overtaking :-)

    4. Why would one overtake at T15 anyway?

      The DRS detection point for the pit straight is located towards the exiting part of T15 so if you compromise your exit by overtaking into T15 your all but garuanteed to re-passed into T1 or even halfway through the pitstraight.

      1. @jeffreyj
        There’s only one DRS detection point on the track, valid for both DRS activation zones (http://www.fia.com/file/48058/download?token=64X2tr5x; if that link doesn’t work see under http://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship/season-2016/event-timing-information-14 –> Circuit Information –> Circuit Map), located between turns 12 and 13.
        So it does make a lot of sense to attempt an overtake into turn 15, as you’ll get DRS on the pit straight regardless. However, that doesn’t happen too often, as it’s incredibly dificult to follow another car through turn 13/14.

        1. I see. Then yes, it does make sense to overtake into T15. It used to be 2 detection points right? I’m quite sure of that.

    5. What’s he on about? You could always take turn 15 in several different ways. It’s not a new thing that you can.

    6. “but we’re on the right track”

      Hopefully this is true. What would be the point driving around a different track?!

      1. @cgturbo
        There’s a german expression that might’ve interfered with what he was trying to say in English. If so, he meant to say something along the lines of ‘it’s a step in the right direction’.

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