Silverstone has unveiled the new track layout that will host the British Formula 1 and MotoGP races this year.
The new configuration, which lengthens the track by 0.472 miles to 3.666 miles, is the first stage of a two-year development plan.
Damon Hill, head of circuit owner the British Racing Drivers' Club, said it would "provide better viewing, greater capacity and more of a challenge".
Next year will see the start-finish line moved and a new pits and paddock.
The start-finish line will be moved in 2011 to the other side of the track, making the first corner of the new complex unveiled on Wednesday the first corner of the lap.
For this year, though, the start-finish line stays in its traditional place between Woodcote and Copse corners at the northern end of the circuit and the new layout slots in towards the end of the lap.
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We want to provide the very best, but it has to be sustainable
Damon Hill (above)
BRDC president |
Abbey corner, which had been a chicane since the 1994 grand prix, has been transformed into a quick right-hander, from which cars will blend into a fast left-hand kink and down to a new complex of corners.
It rejoins the previous track at the old Brooklands corner.
The new layout, which is to be officially opened by the Duke of York on Wednesday, cost £5m and took five months to build.
It follows the award of a 17-year contract to Silverstone to host the British F1 Grand Prix after years of uncertainty about the race's future.
The race was awarded to Donington Park from 2010, but the Leicestershire track failed to deliver on its obligations and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was forced back into talks with Silverstone.
Hill, the 1996 F1 world champion, said: "For motor racing fans it's very important to have a grand prix in your own country so there has been a big battle to fulfil the criteria for hosting a grand prix.
"This has been the result of a very long, hard battle to upgrade the facilities and provide a venue that is the best venue for drivers and fans.
"The important thing was to make it sustainable and realistic, and unfortunately the Donington project was unrealistic and wasn't able to fulfil what was needed to be done.
"So we're back here. We want to provide the very best, but it has to be sustainable.
"We've reconfigured the shape of the circuit - this is the first year of a two-year development place. For next year, there will be a completely different position for the start-finish line, so the pits and paddock will be in a completely different place.
"The centre of attention, the start and finish, will all be down the other end of the circuit. We hope it will provide much better viewing facilities, greater capacity and also more of a thrill and challenge for the drivers."
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