The last part of the brand new track for the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix of Miami is like the “Formula E sector” according to Yuki Tsunoda, including turns that are designed as “error generators”.
The F1’s first visit to the new Miami International Autodrome this weekend will provide a mix of high and low speed challenges for drivers.
The narrow third sector of the track raised eyebrows, including that of the AlphaTauri driver Tsunoda, who compared it to the sector you would expect from a Formula E track before the weekend.
“I was driving the simulator track and the first two sectors are pretty fast with some medium and high speed turns,” Tsunoda said.
“Sector three is what I call the ‘Formula E sector’ with very, very tight turns, and I think it generally looks like a pretty interesting track to ride.
“I think it will be fun, although overtaking can be difficult, so we have to rank well.”
Incumbent Formula One world champion Max Verstappen believes “this weekend will be pretty crazy”, while his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez hopes that the long straight lines will lead to “good races”.
Unlike Tsunoda, Alfa Romeo F1 driver Valteri Botas says it will be a “good overtaking track” based on his runs on the simulator.
The track was designed by Apex, which simulates 36 different layouts before switching to this version.
Apex director Clive Bowen identified the sequence of corners under the overpasses as the most difficult around the track for which the Swiss company Geobrugg supplied concrete barriers and debris fences.
“We had to make sure we had a racetrack that had enough of Jekyll and Hyde’s character, that they were mostly gears and a lot of traction that required soft car tuning, and then some super high speed gears where you wanted to you have a firm mindset to get the best out of aviation performance and therefore lateral traction through corners, ”Bowen said.
“The sequence from turn 13 to 16 is where we insert the needle under the turnpike overpasses. Entering turn 14, you do not see the top of turn 15 until you are at the top of turn 14.
“This is what we call the ‘error generator’, so the chances of drivers winning a position because someone in front is speeding are quite high.”
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