Catalunya MotoGP to use F1 layout following Salom tragedy
MotoGP will use the slower F1-layout for the remainder of the Grand Prix of Catalunya weekend, following the tragic death of Moto2 star Luis Salom.
The event will continue following consultation with Salom's family, the riders, teams and the Safety Commission.
However in a Safety Commission meeting attended by Marc Marquez, Andrea Iannone, Pol Espargaro, Jack Miller, Bradley Smith, Alvaro Bautista, Aleix Espargaro, Andrea Dovizioso, Tito Rabat and Cal Crutchlow, it was agreed to use the the F1 track configuration for the remainder of the event (top picture, red sections will no longer be used).
Salom's accident occurred at Turn 12, which for the motorcycle layout is the penultimate corner, a fast right-hander. F1 uses a tighter corner at the end of the back straight, plus a chicane before the final turn.
A revised layout was tried two years ago in an official MotoGP Test, due to concerns over run-off at the end of the back straight, but brought a mixed-response and only the original layout has been used during MotoGP race weekends.
As riders will have to deal with a new track configuration, practice time is to be extended on Saturday.
Normal MotoGP layout (top) alongside the F1 layout for Circuit de Catalunya. pic.twitter.com/mkjGEIlBW0-- Crash.net MotoGP (@crash_motogp) June 3, 2016
Overhead view of the different end-of-lap track layouts for MotoGP and F1 at @Circuitcat_eng pic.twitter.com/dlSA29w0OW-- Crash.net MotoGP (@crash_motogp) June 3, 2016
08.40 - 09.35 Moto3 Free Practice 3
09.50 - 10.50 MotoGP Free Practice 3
11.05 - 12.05 Moto2 Free Practice 3
12.35 - 13.15 Moto3 Qualifying
13.30 - 14.00 MotoGP Free Practice 4
14.10 - 14.25 MotoGP Qualifying 1
14.35 - 14.50 MotoGP Qualifying 2
15.05 - 15.50 Moto2 Qualifying
