MOTOGP: Red Bull Ring alters last corner

The final corner of the Red Bull Ring has been modified on safety grounds for MotoGP's first Austrian Grand Prix since 1997.

Honda's Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa had lapped the circuit in promotional events in June, and other riders headed to last month's private test keen to assess conditions for themselves during their first two days of running.

Based on rider feedback from the two days, FIM safety officer Franco Uncini has elected to reduce the width of the final corner by three meters (about 10 feet), from 13m (42 feet) to 10m (32), "to lower the speed when exiting the corner and improve the safety of the turn."

While significant work has been carried out to accommodate MotoGP at the circuit, reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo admitted at the end of the test that he still had some safety reservations.

"The Tarmac is good, there are just three or four corners where the wall is very close and that can be dangerous in case of a crash," the Yamaha rider said last month. "It's difficult to change this track, but for sure for the future it would be good to try to improve the safety."

Originally on Autosport.com