FIA Makes Significant Changes To Saudi Arabian Track Safety After Mick Schumacher Crash

TecPro energy-absorbing barrier has been used to beef up the corners where the Haas driver crashed last year.

The organisers of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix have taken significant steps to improve driver safety at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Among the changes made for the 2023 race is the installation of a TecPro energy-absorbing barrier at the scene of Mick Schumacher’s crash during last year’s qualifying session.

The young German driver lost control of his Haas car at turn 10 and spun into the barrier at turn 11, causing a 33G impact and extensive (and expensive) damage to his car. The crash also led to a red flag delay in the session. Cem Bolukbasi, a Formula 2 racer, also crashed into the same wall during Friday practice, prompting the installation of the TecPro barrier “at the inside of turn 11 exit on drivers’ left from the vehicle opening to the end of the track light posts.”

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has responded to drivers' safety concerns by making various other modifications to the circuit. Barriers have been moved back at turns eight, 10, 14, and 20 to improve sightlines for drivers on those high-speed, treacherous corners. Furthermore, the last left-hander at turn 22 has been made substantially tighter, which will slow the cars down for Turns 23 and 24.

Despite the alterations made to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, it will still be one of the fastest tracks of the F1 world circuit, and it's expected that this year's cars will blow by the speed track measurements set last year.