Hermann Tilke - Lord of the chicanes

[davewilson]

Have you ever wondered who designs the F1 tracks our boys race on or do you take them for granted?
This article will give you an insight to a man who designs them:
Tilke and his love affair with curves
It all began at the Nürburgring, where, as a student he earned a couple hundred Marks when he was allowed to design an emergency lane. Following this first creation, his office was busy with the construction of garbage dumps and tennis centers. But it was Tilke's curvy designs that piqued the interest of the FIA and Formula One promoter Bernie Ecclestone. Since then, handling rush orders has been Tilke's business. The creative director of the asphalt scene has (re)designed the majority of the 30 Formula One circuits in use today. His motto: more comfort for spectators, more passing, better vantage points, more excitement - all with the best possible safety. The 49-year-old puts forward a philosophical approach in his creations: "I give curves a reason." In the preparation stages he relies on the reactions of his team of 100. This leads to solutions that surprise the uninitiated: "We make some corners sharper for safety reasons. This makes them slower - thus reducing the danger." Normally, though, the run-off areas are generously proportioned. "Create room to give someone confidence," is also one of Tilke's maxims.

Sharp turns guarantee safety and spectacle
The Grand Prix circuit in Sepang, carved out of Malaysian primeval forest, illustrates in spectacular fashion that Tilke's calculations hold strong. The EUR 80 million circuit, shaped like an open safety pin, contrasts with the usually bland designs that preceded it, and which the drivers happily derided as mickey mouse circuits. "With 15 curves and 8 straights, the circuit doesn't just set a record, it also requires everything from the drivers," enthuses departing Formula One driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen. There's some background to the acceptance: Tilke is often a guest in the paddock area, and sits down together with drivers, team bosses and experts. His personal focus on the nuts and bolts comes from experience as a long-distance race driver: "If you've ever sat in the cockpit, you have more feeling for what it's all about."

Too many ideas for one track
In addition to the need for feeling, Tilke's XXL projects demand a healthy dose of perfectionism. "In contrast to the automobile designers, who can have several designs built before they go into production, we have to get it right the first time," Tilke explains. What Tilke says becomes clear - the man needs this pressure, and looks for competition - even against himself. "We have lots of ideas. The hard part is trying to incorporate all of them into a single location." According to Tilke, the ideal case would be one in which the circuit offers as few compromises as possible. "If you try to please everyone, you get lost in the job, and in the end nobody's happy."

"The specators can see the whites of the driver's eyes"
One doesn't have to appeal explicitly to the interests of the fans. "Actually," Tilke opines, "that's the main sponsors' responsibility." That can be evidenced, as it was in Malaysia, with the construction of prayer rooms. Or in Sepang, where the finishing straight with a hairpin curve in the middle. That's the only way, explains the circuit builder, "the spectators can see the whites of the drivers' eyes." Provided you have a telephoto lens, of course. 
 
Visit:

http://www.tilke.com/

Past and Future Track designs:

The Stig