REVEALED: New Vietnam circuit layout after extra corner added

As preparations accelerate for the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix this coming April, organisers have revealed an updated layout for their dazzling street circuit – and it features an additional corner at the end of the lap…

The Hanoi Circuit is a fusion of permanent and street sections of track which initially featured 22 turns and takes inspiration from historic circuits such as Suzuka, Monaco and Nurburgring.

But street circuits bring extra challenges when it comes to layout, as you have to work around existing infrastructure. Following an assessment, the final section of the lap has been reconfigured, with a 23rd corner added and the track widened by around 15m.

So where before the final two corners were previously a quick left followed by a much tighter left, the track now winds further to the right before a tight left followed by another more open left.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Vietnam’s street circuit

That extends the circuit length marginally, from 5.565km to 5.607km, and brings it on par with Singapore’s Marina Bay Street Circuit as the only venue with as many as 23 turns on the F1 calendar.

“In the course of building our new track, and carrying out geographical assessments, we have adjusted Turn 22 and added Turn 23 in consultation with Formula 1 and the FIA,” said Le Ngoc Chi, CEO of the Vietnam Grand Prix Corporation.

The news comes after the organisers revealed the circuit is on track to be finished in early January, with the 300m-long pit building, inspired by Hanoi’s Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, set to be ready before the end of the year.

The Hanoi Circuit is the first to have been created by Formula 1’s in-house Motorsports team, in collaboration with renowned circuit designers Tilke, who were responsible for Austin’s stunning Circuit of The Americas, among others.

It is hoped the new layout will foster entertaining racing and exciting overtaking. “We have a long stretch, which at 1.6km is one of the longest stretches on the calendar, and will see cars reach up to 335km/h,” added Chi.

Enjoy a virtual lap of the Hanoi Circuit below – and click here to book your tickets for the inaugural Vietnam Grand Prix in 2020.