Photo: Jonathan Grace
The pit entry layout for the FIA World Endurance Championship at Sebring has been restored to last year’s configuration after series organizers held “consultations with teams and drivers” about a new system that was trialed during the Prologue.
Last weekend the pit entry point was situated before Turn 15, but it has been moved back to its old location between Turns 15 and 16 ahead of Free Practice on Wednesday.
Several drivers voiced concerns about the system used during the Prologue test, where the pit entry line started at the Turn 14 left-hand kink before guiding cars into a concrete barrier-lined chicane that led to the entrance of the Ullman Straight pit lane.
A key talking point was the potential for incidents when a car would suddenly slow to enter the pits midway through the Turn 14 kink, upon reaching the pit entry line.
In the closing stages of the final Prologue session, JOTA LMP2 driver David Heinemeier Hansson crashed into the right-side barriers after contact with the No. 54 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo at that location.
An FIA statement provided to Sportscar365 read: “Following an in-depth assessment over the two-day test and following consultations with teams and drivers from all classes as well as the FIA’s Safety Department, a decision was taken to revert to the original configuration, as per the 2022 edition of the race.
“The staff of Sebring International Speedway were always open to implementing all changes requested by the FIA regardless of timing and the amount of work required and should be commended on their efforts.”
The statement went on to indicate that pit entry modifications were made ahead of the Prologue based on discussions with competitors in the WEC field.
“Being on the same bill as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the FIA World Endurance Championship uses Sebring International Raceway’s secondary pit lane, located alongside the Ullman Straight.
“Over the years there were various requests from drivers for the pit entry to be modified to enable them to enter the pit lane between T14 and T15 rather than after the apex of T15.
“Taking these opinions into consideration it was decided to assess an alternative configuration of pit lane entry during the two-day pre-season test.
“The new pit entry included concrete walls, tire barriers and the provision of a line clearly separating cars entering the pit lane from those remaining on track.”
The initial driver response to the post-Prologue change has been positive, with Dempsey-Proton Racing GTE-Am driver Julien Andlauer suggesting that the returning 2022 layout will be safer than last weekend’s option.
“There was a compromise to do, if there was a car on the outside, you couldn’t go into the pits,” Andlauer told Sportscar365. “It was a bit tricky.
“I think it could be better [than the Prologue layout] because if you’re on the inside at the [Turn 15] apex, you just keep the inside line and commit to pit entry.
“Let’s see tomorrow how it is, but I think it’s going to be a better idea. Less dangerous: if anything [happens] we are already slower in the corner.”
Porsche Penske Motorsport’s Michael Christensen, meanwhile, highlighted the challenges of the Prologue layout when the pit entry line started at the kink.
It is understood that the pit entry line was added at Turn 14 after the first day of Prologue running.
“That was always going to be bad because you are all on the racing line on the right side turning into a double-left, and somebody is stabbing on the brakes right there when going flat out in front of you,” he said.
“It created issues. I think that was going to be clear. Going back to the original pit entry is probably the best solution. I didn’t see any issue [with it] before.”
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March 15, 2023 at 01:11AM
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Sebring WEC Pit Entry Restored to Last Year's Configuration – Sportscar365 - Sportscar365
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