No race in opposite direction in Spain: "Impossible because of safety concerns"

In order to get as complete a Formula 1 championship as possible off the ground later in the year, it has been proposed to organise two races in one weekend on a number of circuits. This should be done on the Silverstone circuit, for example.

In order to bring some more variation between those races, some followers suggested to drive the second race in the opposite direction. Jose Frontsere, the circuit director of the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, excludes that possibility for his track in any case.

"It is not possible because of the safety measures. There are very few circuits with a layout designed to change direction safely," said Frontsere in conversation with SoyMotor.com.

Problems coming out of curves

"It's impossible in Barcelona, even if we adjust certain curves a little. It would not be a problem to homologate the circuit, because the FIA would be there to help us and accelerate the procedures, but on our circuit it is impossible because of a safety problem".

The circuit director doesn't mention exactly what safety issues are involved, but if we take a look at the layout of the circuit, there are a few points that Fontsere are referring to. For example, Turn 1 and Turn 9 are also taken at high speed in the opposite direction and there's no exit at all at those points. The circuit would have to undergo a major rebuild to get this done.