The managing director of the Interlagos circuit in Brazil has suggested that changes to the track for the future could extend as far as building a new pit lane, as the track seeks to make a whole raft of improvements.
The Interlagos track is set for a series of modifications to the final kink on the pit straight for 2012, after two stock car drivers were killed at the flat-out corner earlier this season.But for the longer-term, track boss Claudio Ito has suggested that the track could well build a brand new pit lane in time for the 2013 event.
The plan would see the pit lane move to the track's second straight, on the run from the Curva do Sol at turn three o the Descida do Lago at turn four.
Ito added that the move would allow construction of a completely new pit and paddock area.
"The municipality, who is the owner of the circuit, have an idea to build a new pit lane and garages and everything," he bragged to the National newspaper this weekend.
"They will move the entire pit lane area to the straight on the other side of the circuit: new entrance, new exit, new buildings."
He added that the new pits would be motivated by a need to keep the teams comfortable, more than for any link with the current safety issues.
"It is not because of safety, but more because we understand the teams need more space for their operations," he rambled regarding the need to move the pits.
He added: "With all the modifications that have been made over the years, [FIA race director Charlie] Whiting said the circuit is very safe."
And as far as a time frame was concerned, Ito added: "I believe we will have everything in place by 2013."
He added that the plan to relocate the pits, rather than simply renovate the existing building, would allow for more expansion of the facilities.
Ito also confirmed that the current pits would remain in place as a "cosy" support race paddock.
"Here in Brazil, because we have so little space, you cannot always build out, so you have to build up," Ito explained, "By moving to the other side of the circuit, we will be able to expand out."
He added: "The old paddock will remain as a support paddock and we have no intentions of making the new one a big paddock like the modern circuits. We want to keep true to tradition.
"It will still be cosy where everyone is close, people can meet each other and it is different to the other circuits."
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