Formula 1
Williams supports new tarmac
Frank Williams is in favour of the new tarmac run-off areas that some circuits have introduced to replace the traditional gravel traps. The Williams team boss thinks drivers can be slightly cautious at attempting an overtake for fear of damaging the ...
Published: Jul 18, 2002, 12:14 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Frank Williams is in favour of the new tarmac run-off areas that some circuits have introduced to replace the traditional gravel traps. The Williams team boss thinks drivers can be slightly cautious at attempting an overtake for fear of damaging the car but the tarmac run-offs encourage more ambitious moves.
While landing in a gravel trap in the event of a mistake can end a driver's race, the tarmac gives the opportunity to keep going without losing too much time.
"It's difficult to pass with these cars, but most of the circuits haven't developed as quickly as the chassis," Williams said. "Today's circuits are very safe, but drivers don't want to go for the limit because they're scared of damaging the bodywork or undertray if they go off."
"But having a tarmac escape road means that if you go beyond the limit, you just lose a few seconds and start again. The first corner at Indianapolis is like that, and it's no coincidence that you see spectacular duels there. And the new Hockenheim circuit has been built with this philosophy."
Renault's Jenson Button recently expressed doubt about the new look tarmac as it could be dangerous in a brake failure situation but more circuits are adopting the idea. The redesigned Paul Ricard circuit in France has been billed as the safest and most technologically advanced circuit there is and features a complete lack of gravel traps.
The run off areas are painted in alternate bright blue, black and red stripes, each of which is covered in a different grade of high-friction asphalt. "The run off areas are very high-tech," said BAR's Olivier Panis. "There are different grades of coloured tarmac and they slow the car down at very high speed but you can still recover the car and get back on track easily."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Allan McNish diary 2002-07-17
Next article Newey compares Raikkonen and Hakkinen
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jenson Button
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Formula 1
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
More from
Williams
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
Formula 1
Formula 1
Williams has better cooling vests than anyone – Alex Albon
James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
James Vowles explains request for review of F1 cost cap
Latest news
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
11 h
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 12 h
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
12 h
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 13 h
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe