Monaco, May 29: The Monaco Grand Prix could feature fewer crashes and more overtaking as a result to changes made to the track for this year's race, according to leading drivers.
A section of the challenging street circuit has been changed towards the end of the lap, making a less tight chicane on the approach to the Rascasse hairpin, the second last corner.
The approach to Rascasse, downfall of many a driver with its tight entry and unforgiving barriers, has been substantially redrawn using around 5,000 square metres of ground reclaimed from the harbour.
McLaren driver David Coulthard said: "It looks a lot more open. I'm conscious of not saying it looks easier just in case I go and drop the ball there, but the entry to Rascasse does look like it's less challenging than it was in the past.
"In some respects that's a shame because that was one of the difficult spots on the track. But it may give us more opportunity for overtaking and if not overtaking then it should make it easier to lap slower cars during the race. So all in all I'd say it was an improvement."



The previous version of Rascasse was challenging because the right-hand hairpin was immediately preceded by a left-hand sweep. That forced drivers to change direction from left to right while still braking, making it easy to spin.



Williams star Juan Pablo Montoya, who was on pole position in Monaco last year, believes the new layout will mean fewer drivers lose control of their cars.



"I think it is probably going to save a lot of money for the teams because that's the place where everybody crashes normally," the Colombian said.


Bureau Report