Last season, after the end of the United States Grand Prix, Haas decided to go on the attack, filing a protest regarding alleged track limit violations that went unpunished by the FIA.
In fact, in the days following the US race, it emerged that several drivers had exceeded the limits of the track on several occasions, exceeding the white line especially in turn six, a section where one generally tends to cut on the inside going over the curb. However, that section of the track had not been monitored with particular attention like other areas of the track, such as the last corner, where it is easier to place special cameras to check for any infringements.
Ultimately, while acknowledging the existence of track boundary issues, the FIA stated that external monitoring of specific corners had not been deemed sufficient to provide an accurate judgment as to whether drivers had exited the white lines. However, the issue remained at the center of attention and, in fact, according to what Motorsport.com has learned, the Austin organizers have decided to make a series of changes to the circuit to try to reduce the problems related to track limits.
With the renovation of the Circuit of the Americas for this year, which was also resurfaced to eliminate those annoying depressions, the opportunity was taken to resolve the problems that have emerged in recent years.
“It was mainly done to eliminate bumps. Some parts of the track were 12 years old, so it was time,” said Bobby Epstein, promoter of the Austin race.
“I know Max [Verstappen] gave it a pretty bad review last year. So I hope to hear something positive. I’m sure we’ll hear, ‘This is a completely new track. It’s fantastic’.”
Taking into account the situation that emerged last year, it has emerged that Austin has made a number of changes to the circuit which should prevent a repeat of the scenario this season.
In several areas of the track, the edges of the asphalt have been narrowed by 1.5 meters and replaced with a grass surface which should prevent the drivers from overtaking them completely, in the sections of the internal areas of Turn 6 (the one for which last year there were many complaints), 13, 14 and 15. Furthermore, in case the grass was not enough, to help control potential problems related to the limits of the track, the Austin promoters also added cameras in “strategic points” which should help better monitor cars crossing the white line with all four tyres. This is a fundamental aspect, especially if these cameras will be fixed because, after the cancellation of Oscar Piastri’s time in Austria, it was agreed that the cameras must provide the same image for all pilots.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR23 Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-23 Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR23
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Furthermore, a change has also been made to the exit of Turn 11, the left-hand hairpin that leads onto the back straight. Previously there was an asphalt run-off area with bumps at the exit, but now it has been equipped with an area filled with gravel with resin. This “fake” gravel has already been tested in Zandvoort in recent years, acting as a deterrent for drivers, but without the stones ending up on the track if they pass.
However, this is only an experiment, also because Austin has to balance the needs of Formula 1 with those of MotoGP.
Bobby Epstein, promoter of the Austin race, explained how difficult it is to balance the two things: “There are some areas where it is difficult because, if you race Moto GP and F1 on the same track, one wants gravel in one ‘area where another doesn’t want it. You can’t have it both ways, and you can’t cut the track and put gravel on it, then turn it over and hope it stays waterproof when there’s clay underneath a challenge to face.”
Other curbs around the track have also been replaced and drainage has been added to improve wet conditions.
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