Formula 1 track designer Tilke has revealed what the new Vietnam Grand Prix track will be like from the cockpit with the release of an onboard simulator lap.
The build of the new 5.565km (3.46-mile) street circuit in the suburbs of Hanoi is ongoing and the footage from Tilke’s own simulation data has offered a first glimpse of the track ahead of its inaugural F1 race in 2020.
The opening section of the circuit is modelled on the first corners of the modern Nurburgring circuit before it swoops through a stadium section.
Later on, a challenging final sector through Turns 16-19 is similar to the Esses at Suzuka and is a high-speed section in close proximity to the barriers.
Track designer Carsten Tilke, who is CEO of the Tilke company, has completed some simulation laps of the circuit and believes it will be challenging for the drivers.
“It is a very spectacular track,” he told Autosport. “It combines a bit of what you can do at a classic track, like the Esses at Suzuka, which normally you cannot do at a street circuit, and also elements that you can only do at city venues.
“It is very challenging to drive. I’ve driven it several times – it is fun but very hard to get a good lap together.
“And there are good overtaking points that I think will be good for the racing.”
The onboard simulation lap uses the engine that powers the Assetto Corsa video game series, which most recently released a Blancpain GT Series instalment.
The game engine has modelled the track on Tilke’s own data.
Tilke added: “Many people tried to model it after they saw the plans, but we have the current drawings and know where everything will be – where will be the Tecpro, where will be the bridges, and where will be the fences for example.”