Skaife: 'More room for error' at revamped AGP
Mark Skaife says there will be “more room for error” at the revamped Albert Park circuit.
Supercars will return to Albert Park for next weekend’s Beaurepaires Melbourne 400.
It will mark the first time since 2019 that Supercars have raced at the Grand Prix venue.
The circuit has undergone major changes in the three years since, as well as a complete resurfacing.
Skaife, along with Australian circuit design specialist iEDM, oversaw the circuit changes.
Notably, gone is the right-left Turn 9 and 10 section, with a sweeper connecting two straights.
A number of corners have also been reprofiled to encourage more overtaking.
For Skaife, the tweaked circuit will present a new challenge for drivers, who will tackle four sprint races next weekend.
“The track’s faster; it's going to have more room for error,” five-time Supercars champion Skaife said.
“There’ll be more mistakes for sure.
“The section we’ve taken out in Turns 9 and 10 were slow corners before.
“Now, it’s absolutely flat out. The fastest section is around the back of Albert Park now.
“The cars will do in excess of 275km/h in that zone.
“The whole track’s been resurfaced; it is going to be fantastic, I can’t wait.”
'The cars will do in excess of 275km/h'
Supercars drivers will also race for the Larry Perkins Perpetual Trophy, with six-time Bathurst winner Perkins also previously competing in Formula 1.
The Albert Park changes are in line with the new era of F1 cars, which will also race in Melbourne for the first time since 2019.
The 2020 event was called off midway though due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Skaife said the revamped layout received the blessing from F1 motorsport head Ross Brawn, who was also intrigued by how the changes will affect Supercars.
“[Brawn] said to me, 'What will it do for Supercars?’” Skaife said.
“I said, ‘It’ll make our racing better also’.
“It’s going to be really, really good.”
The Albert Park venue will host the third round of the 2022 Supercars season on April 7-10.
