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SINGAPORE : The revised Singapore F1 GP route is a better one for drivers and less disruptive for businesses, says a sports commentator.
F1 commentator Steve Slater says it is faster, with fewer sharp turns and bends.
The revised track which is also longer, 5.2 kilometres instead of the earlier 4.8 km was unveiled at Friday's media conference announcing Singapore's entry into the F1 next year.
Our reporter went along with Mr Slater to check out the track.
Duck Tour amphibious vehicles are currently the only traffic plying the Marina Promenade.
But in 16 months, the pace will pick up as the F1 cars will be speeding along there at a new purpose built road.
A new part of the track will now be the start and finish of the race, including the pitlanes and grandstand.
Steve points out that the changes to the route are also better for racing.
He said: "It has taken away some very slow very tight corners, which really didn't have a part in the Singapore circuit. And the track now has got 3 or 4 straights where speeds of 250 km/h, and probably as high as 300 km/h will be attained."
Some of these slow corners were around the Suntec Fountain of Wealth.
By removing them, another problem has also been solved.
Steve said: "Certainly the way that the track is laid out now takes it away from the big business area like Suntec City which had a big commercial foothold. The traffic there still will be traffic issues, I'm sure, but the traffic will flow a little bit more smoothly."
After the Marina Promenade, the F1 cars will whizz past the new Singapore Flyer.
They then drive around the new spectator stands of the floating platform, and head towards the Esplanade.
The track continues with a ride along Anderson bridge, and then it is on to the Padang.
But instead of going around the Swissotel Hotel, the cars will turn right into Stamford Road, then left into Nicoll Highway and back into Suntec.
After this long stretch, there are more overtaking opportunities at Republic Boulevard, which is another new part of the track.
Then they finally return to the new road to be built at the Marina Promenade, for the chequered flag. - CNA/ch
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