Revealed: The secret Brands Hatch track mods

[u/DHSeaVixen]

https://fenotebook.com/2026/10/14/revealed-the-secret-brands-hatch-changes-for-2027-e-prixs/

[u/btcc1721]

That's not too bad at all.

Brands has very few heavy braking zones, so these were always going to be needed. The first one you won't even notice. The second one is needed because Hawthorns barely has any run off at the next corner, so they need to slow them down beforehand

They've kept the run from Hawthorns to Stirlings untouched though, which is the main thing. Seeing the cars fly down Dingle Dell and through Sheene will be pretty special.

[u/Alarmed_Substance_89]

"Look, guys! The fastest Formula E car ever! Capable of reaching 330kph!! But... you will not get to see it because... reasons.."

Just give us super fast races! I hope to be proven wrong.

[u/juicyBabez_ → u/Alarmed_Substance_89]

same, just show is the cars actually going flat out for once

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/juicyBabez_]

That’s kind of the point of the E-Prix Unleashed format.

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/Alarmed_Substance_89]

The Gen4’s acceleration is arguably proving to be the major distinguishing factor with other racing categories. So to be fair, these modifications would help really show that off compared to an unmodified layout.

It will probably still be plenty fast going into Paddock Hill and Druids, also through Sheen and Dingle Dell.

[u/Kezolt → u/Alarmed_Substance_89]

Because if it went 330kph it would only last 2 laps

[u/Dvorak_96]

why are people surprised by this? Gen 4 is fast yes but the range is a loooong way from reaching F1 levels. EV has always had a 3-step process.  1: Acceleration. this one is easy to beat petrol on. 2: Top speed. here is where EV are starting to match ICE today. 3: Range No where close yet at high speeds.

[u/drabadum]

From my simracing experience, I don't mind the second and maybe first chicanes, but damn, the third one ruins a pretty tricky (due to the elevation changes and tilt) fast right turn that leads to the start-finish straight.

[u/GogoPlata_grenadier → u/drabadum]

First chicane is great and the best change what do you mean maybe

[u/l3w1s1234]

I think only change I'm a bit disappointed in is the 1st chicane just because it would've been cool to see them going full speed into Hawthorns. The other two changes seem about right and shouldn't break up the flow too much

[u/btcc1721 → u/l3w1s1234]

It's also partially for safety reasons the chicane before Hawthorns, down Pilgrims Drop.

There's very little run off, and no room to expand as there's a road behind the run off

[u/gramathy]

I see this as a net gain in general, minor additions that don't affect the original routing to allow for more layout variation in general is a no brainer

[u/ReporterBest9598]

The first change is good. The second chicane is fine, but nothing special. The third one though...why would they choose that corner profile? That will be single file on exit. I'm fine with chicanes in FE, I understand the reasons, but why are all their chicane designs so terribly profiled? Wouldn't a regular Monza-style chicane work just as well?

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/ReporterBest9598]

I would perhaps suggest that we wait until a final track map to gauge the profiling, rather than a drawing produced by FEN.

[u/GogoPlata_grenadier → u/ReporterBest9598]

Yeah exactly, why the rectangle chicane instead of right triangle? Ok the corner doesn’t have a bunch if runoff and we need to regenerate, why are me making a speed bump instead of an overtaking opportunity

[u/DBepic]

That makes no sense.
I can accept these two corner tweaks, but the second chicane in the middle of the downhill is so sad to watch and gives lots of arguments to Formula E detractors.
Bring an ultra fast racing car then restrict it with multiple chicanes reminiscent of Gen 1 era. Why?
Just make the race bit shorter.
I really hope they're going to re-think this, because it would not be a popular choice.

[u/CrashmasterSOAD → u/DBepic]

The corners tweaks IMHO are way more annoying than the bigger chicane in the middle. Sure, the chicane is the most obvious one, but here I'm willing to accept the safety reasons behind it. Ruining two others corners for no reason has no rationale as far as I'm concerned. And I'm willing to bet they'll put walls in all of these corners, because they just love walls for some reason.

[u/augustlnn]

Mexico is a full layout and just one chicane, does Brands Hatch need three of those?...

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/augustlnn]

I think Mexico City being 2200m above sea level with 20-25% lower air density makes a huge difference. That translates directly into 20-25% less drag.

The Mexico City E-Prix has generally been pretty fast in a way that similar circuits at lower altitude perhaps cannot manage.

[u/badabubaba]

I usually hate these modifications but they are not terrible this time. I think they don’t really alter the layout that much. Still not sure why we’d neeed the last chicane, but… not terrible.

[u/FeherDenes]

Guys, you realise you can just make the race 2 laps shorter, or stand in the pits a few more seconds, and then you don’t have to bend over backwards trying to recharge?

And if it’s not a recharge thing but a safety thing, why did you choose Brands Hatch

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/FeherDenes]

Given that the FIA have all the simulations and driver input from Wehrlein and Rowland, you’d think they know exactly what they’re doing and why.

[u/Izan_TM → u/DHSeaVixen]

yeah, because FE likes to brag about the specs of its racecar but once you try to do a race distance with it it falls apart unless it has 3 chicanes to slow down and recharge

[u/Edstertheplebster → u/Izan_TM]

It’s to regen energy under braking; otherwise there’s a danger you end up with a Peloton-style race where the circuit is too energy-hungry per lap and the drivers have to slow right down for the first half of the race.

[u/DHSeaVixen → u/Edstertheplebster]

Damned if they do and damned if they don’t.

Minimal modification and have a pack race which people complain about, or major modification which people complain about.

Rinse and repeat with street circuits vs permanent circuits.

[u/Electrical_Board7997]

Oh great they finally go to a decent track and then fuck it up with chicanes - what's the point of making Gen 4 cars faster if they put chicanes in to slow them down?

[u/CrashmasterSOAD → u/Electrical_Board7997]

Yep, stupid, I know.

Especially when the sprint races are apparently going to be called FE Unleashed, lol. They'll be unleashed, driving around three artificial corners. More like FE Caged Animals.

[u/CrashmasterSOAD]

Utter moronic decision from FE. I'm willing to accept one chicane at the long straight for safety reasons, the rest is straight up unnecessary. While it's true the track doesn't have many heavy braking zones, it also has quite a lot of corners and the cars still aren't grippy enough to take any of them flat, so what is the issue here?

These kinds of decisions can quickly erase all the hype and goodwill from potential new fans that didn't take FE seriously until now. Could have just used the Indy layout if they wanted to act like pussies afterwards.

They DESPERATELY need to find circuits that can be used without modifications IMHO. In some cases I believe they can be used exactly that, yet they still insist on dumb chicanes and tightened artificial corners with walls everywhere.

This ain't it, FE. Time to stop with this crap already!

[u/Extension_Cod1200]

Urgh

[u/Jazzlike-Compote4463]

A bit annoying to be sure, but hey - at least they aren't limited by the size of an exhibition centre in the middle of London.

[u/Edstertheplebster → u/Jazzlike-Compote4463]

Or by the ring road of a 200 acre Grade 2 listed Victorian-era park; where they physically laid down tarmac to create some of the chicanes.

[u/krzysiek_aleks]

How about simply racing at Indy layout.

I know, I know, regen etc. But that last chicane... One of the best parts of the circuit... At least it will blend with Indy shortcut?

[u/K-TR0N]

Noooooooo!

Worst thing to ever happen to a track is a random chicane in the middle of a straight.

Just awful.

And to allow track with the character of Brands Hatch.

Utter bastardisation.