Melbourne's Albert Park F1 track modified after 2024 crashes

During the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, George Russell crashed at the Turn 6-7 complex after being caught out by an early-braking Fernando Alonso.

Russell went through the run-off area, hit the barriers before his wrecked Mercedes bounced back on the track. Williams' Alex Albon also crashed at the same location in free practice.

Turns 6 and 7 have been a safety concern for F1 drivers amid changes made to them ahead of the 2024 race, which made them faster.

As a result, the FIA decided to modify the barriers at that location in a manner that prevents the cars from bouncing back on the track in case of a crash.

The kerbs at Turns 6 and 7 were also modified from positive kerbs that are higher than the racing surface, which could unsettle the F1 cars should they ride over them, to negative kerbs that sit lower than the track.

The gravel run-off areas were also extended to reach the edge of the kerbs.

Explaining the changes, FIA said: "Following a review of last year's event at Albert Park, several changes to Turn 6 and Turn 7 have been approved in collaboration with the local ASN and the grand prix organizers.

"The kerb at the exit of Turn 6 through entry and apex of Turn 7 has been replaced with a single specification of negative kerb.

"This adjustment removes the transition from negative to positive kerb that was present in this area, which previously had been addressed by local modification (grinding) of the kerb to provide a smoother transition between kerb types. The intent is to remove the possibility of this transition destabilizing a car.

"Additionally, the gravel trap now extends to the back of the kerb and the barrier on the left-hand side of Turn 7 has also been moved and re-profiled to mitigate the possibility of a car coming to rest in a position near the racing line following an impact with the energy absorbing barrier in this area.

"These changes were proposed based on feedback from the FIA Safety Department following their ongoing analysis of all circuits, as well as input from drivers and teams. They aim to provide improvement in safety whilst maintaining corner dynamics and exciting racing," the FIA concluded.