Donnington Park layout plans

So basically they're re-profiling Coppice to make a tight last corner for the F1 boys, which would then in theory lead into a mile long staight down to what was the Melbourne loop (which would now just become the Melbourne hairpin and turn 1). The Foggy esses are gone, as is the old switch-back of the national circuit past the old pits.
Based on the current lay of the land, turn 1 would have a reasonable down-hill section on the approach, with the exit being slightly up-hill.
This is probaby the first issue with the layout - the run-off at the hairpin is already small and making the straight that leads into it about three times longer is just asking for trouble - can't see that one getting FIA or driver approval.

Turn 2 is a reprofile of the hairpin that used to double back onto the old pitstraight and now forms a big left hand sweeper into the totally new loop to extend the lap. This could well end up something like Pouhon at Spa - which can't be a bad thing.

Turn 3 (ignoring some of the kinks as being corners) is another hairpin, although this time a left-hander and a little more open on the entry/exit than turn 1. This exits into a right-hand sweep and on to a tight right of turn 4.

This then takes you back onto the old layout, and the old pitstaight. Albeit slightly re-angled and with a new entrance to the existing pitlane.

Redgate to McLean's remain as they are, although probably re-surfaced.
This isn't surprising as they have already said that changing the Craner curves would result in a public linching of the track developers.
The Old Hairpin and Starkey's Bridge remain as yet more Donnington landmarks and you'd guess they might actually tart up the old Spitfire on a pole (eg stick its wings back on and give it a lick of paint).

After McLean's you head up the hill into the re-profiled and tightened Coppice. This would hopefully retain some of it's un-seen apex quality from the current layout, but is definately a contender for an overtaking spot.


Interetingly, there is provison for a couple of alternate layouts for different events, possibly even allowing two circuits to be used based in each of the pitlanes.
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