The FIA has been evaluating each circuit on the calendar to ensure that it’s safe to run the new 2017 cars at each circuit. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is the latest circuit to be hit with a list of changes, one of which includes modifications to the legendary “Wall of Champions” corner.
The “Wall of Champions” will be placed at a new angle, as the FIA have deemed it unsafe for the newer cars. The corner got its name from various crashes involving former F1 World Champions, including that of Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve.
Along with the changes to the final corner at the circuit, the Armco barriers and around 5000 of the tyres used for walls around the circuit will be replaced with TecPro barriers. These barriers contain plastic foam and are considered to absorb impact during a collision better than the traditional barriers. The gravel traps around the circuit will be replaced with tarmac, which has already been done to most other circuits on the calendar.
There is no current estimate on the cost of the upgrades to the circuit, but the new safety solutions are more expensive than the traditional solutions currently used at the circuit.
Work on the changes has already begun to ensure that the circuit is ready in time for the rapidly approaching Canadian Grand Prix. The work is expected to be completed by mid-May, in time for the race on the weekend of June 11.
