Picture of the new 'Variante Alta' chicane

[Ultra]

"It's quite interesting to see the evolution of chicanes since they were first introduced on circuits in the early 1970s. Those chicanes were more like left-right flicks that were still moderately interesting, even if they tended to replace really great corners. The Ostkurve chicane as it existed from 1982-91 was quite an interesting corner because it could still be taken in third gear if the driver aimed the car through the correct part of the needle.

Contemporary chicances, though, are more like short and slow S-bends, and about as interesting as that description implies."

~  W.J. Gibson

[MG]

Did I miss something?  Why is this new?  Surly it can't be new since last week's race?   

All in all, I have an intense dislike for chicanes. Or "chickens", as Alain Prost refers to them.  Another really rotten idea for "slowing the cars down" that was ineffectual at best and is now 30 years out of date. I am tired of Formula One cars bouncing over saw tooth curbing, as if they were taking part in some sort of lunatic motocross competition.  A good race track should "flow."  I can't define "flow" except to say: watch a SuperBike race. THAT'S what "flow" is all about. The eseential thing is to provide plentiful opportuinities for faster and/or more skillful drivers to pass. That's what makes racing exciting. Not watching wheels flopping around over artificial bumps in the track.

Least wise, that's how I see it.....