With drivers able to get a clear benefit from cutting inside the apex at Turn 2 as the track turns to the right, motor racing’s governing body has moved to deter anyone from trying to gain advantage this way.

In a note sent to teams ahead of action getting underway at the Marina Bay circuit, it has made clear that any driver which does not use the track at Turn 2 will have to go around a cone that has been placed further down the escape road.

F1 race director Charlie Whiting wrote: “Any driver who fails to negotiate Turn 2 by using the track, and who passes completely to the right of the orange kerb element, must keep to the right of the red and white polystyrene block and rejoin the track on the outside of Turn 3.”

Track resurfacing

The FIA has also confirmed that several areas of the track have been resurfaced. This includes Turn 1 and Turn 2, a 100-metre section after Turn 5, and areas between Turns 12 and 13, and around Turns 15,16 and 17.

There has also been a minor change to the width of the pitlane, with the pit wall having been moved 275mm away from the garages. This has been done to increase the width of the fast lane.