The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has approved changes to the track requested by the FIM in order to be able to homologate the circuit. These changes include extending a run-off area and resurfacing the entirety of the track.
One key change will see the run-off area of the former Turn 12 used by MotoGP™ broadened, with the aim of improving safety. To carry out this extension, two modules of Grandstand C and the entirety of Grandstand H will be moved in order to have more space available for the gravel trap. From the braking point, the area will be extended by 20 metres.
With this change, the Gran Premi de Catalunya de MotoGP™ will now be staged on a 4,627 metre layout using the Formula 1 variant at Turn 10, used in 2016 and 2017, and the Turn 12 used until 2015 will now be Turn 13.
Another safety improvement required for homologation is a complete re-surfacing of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya track. All works to meet the FIM's requirements will be carried out during January 2018, except for the dismantling of the grandstands, which will be done during the last weeks of December.
These planned changes have also been agreed on and accepted by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile).