Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya confirms: chicane will no longer be used

The Spanish Grand Prix will again be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this year, but on a different circuit layout. GPblog previously reported that the circuit had a layout without the final chicane approved and now the GP's organisers also announced that that layout will be used for the Spanish GP.

GP of Spain in 2023

The Spanish Grand Prix has opted to use a different circuit layout for 2023. Criticism of the grand prix has become increasingly fierce in recent years, mainly because of the alleged inability to overtake. That should improve on the circuit's new layout.

With the new layout, the last, slow chicane disappears. This allows drivers to get up to speed earlier and follow each other more easily. This should make it easier to overtake at the end of the straight. The layout with the chicane had been used since 2007.

BREAKING!! The #F1 #SpanishGP changes its track configuration!

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the #SpanishGP without the chicane returning the circuit to its original last two corner layout. pic.twitter.com/4jCZBqLQP7

— Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (@Circuitcat_eng) February 27, 2023