EAGLE-EYED Formula One fans were elated to discover a subtle change to the Australia Grand Prix circuit.
F1 fans have flocked to Albert Park in Melbourne for the season opener to watch their heroes get back behind the wheel.
F1 fans have gone crazy after spotting a subtle change to the Australia GP[/caption]
It is a subtle but impactful change designed to improve fan visibility[/caption]
Painting the fence black is a similar hack used for chicken wire[/caption]
Fans will be able to see the race better due to the fence seemingly blending more into the background[/caption]
In 2024 more than 125,000 fans attended the Grand Prix weekend, with practice sessions at this year’s event surpassing the records set last year.
But the lucky few fans who got tickets to go and watch F1 on the start-finish straight will benefit from a small but impactful change made to the iconic circuit.
Fans in the grandstands are usually protected from potential crashes by a grey fence around the track.
However, this year that fence has been painted a more striking tone of black.
Pointed out by TikToker Mattamys – who has nearly 5,000 followers on the social media platform – the change was the “first thing” he noticed upon arrival.
The new colour scheme will help fan visibility by blending in more with the background.
It is a common trick used with chicken wire to help improve aesthetics and give a sense of invisibility to them.
Reacting to the change, one fan on social media said: “That should be on every F1 track.”
A second said: “Really good for photography.”
A third said: “And it looks so much better.”
Another said: “Great for photos and also visibility, good idea.”
It is unclear whether this change will extend to other circuits around the calendar.
However, the change has not been extended to the full track, with only the start-finish straight having the change made.
Other changes on track were also made to this year’s race after George Russell and Alex Albon suffered horrifying crashes last season.
F1 Australia results
1. Lando Norris (McLaren)
2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
6. Alex Albon (Williams)
7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
10. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
11. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
14. Jack Doohan (Alpine)
15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
16. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
17. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
18. Liam Lawson (Red Bull)
19. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
20. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
The changes have come at Turns 6 and 7.
The first change has seen the barrier moved and angled differently to stop a car bouncing back into the track.
Sections of the kerbing have been slightly flattened to reduce the risk of potential instability caused by the bumps.
Meanwhile, adjustments have also been made to the gravel traps by bringing them closer to the kerbs.
Lando Norris took pole ahead of home favourite Oscar Piastri as McLaren secured a front-row lockout during qualifying.
Max Verstappen managed P3 with George Russel P4, while Lewis Hamilton qualified down in P8 as he admitted he has a “big learning curve” to go through this weekend on his Ferrari debut.
