Many of the drivers who compete in the first race in the history of Formula 1 in Miami have criticized the lack of grip on the asphalt when it leaves the ideal line, and in the second free practice session we saw how Sergio Pérez and Sebastian Vettel they suffered two separate spins when overtaking and being overtaken by other single-seaters.
The weekend’s participants have blamed this situation on a considerable lack of grip away from the optimal trajectory, although, in any case, it will be reduced for Sunday’s race after rain fell overnight.
However, Carlos Sainz, who will start second on the grid along with his teammate, Charles Leclerc, explained that “off the line it felt like it was wet” at turn 1, and for this reason, the drivers have asked the FIA to ensure that the track did not have any debris on that part of the layout when the traffic lights went out.
“We have asked the FIA to make sure that the circuit is as clean as possible for that start, because we could see mistakes from drivers that are not at fault. It’s like driving on a dry track and out being wet, so We need a little help from the race management,” said the Spaniard.
Motorsport.com is aware that, although the international federation is aware of the drivers’ request to clean the track, they do not plan to carry out any additional sweeping or cleaning, as the entire tarmac is swept before each new session.
Sainz was also asked for his thoughts on the challenge of overtaking on the Miami track, which has several long straights and three DRS zones. Although the man from Madrid believes that “it is possible to overtake in these three sections at full speed”, he is concerned about grip off the line when the drivers try to move to the limit.
“Everyone has complained about the lack of traction off the line, so if you’re going to overtake you have to do it quite early in the braking, but otherwise I find it hard to see us doing late turns or diving from far, because there is little grip,” said Sainz.
The Miami pit exit, which leads into the second corner, could become a key factor in Sunday’s race, as the drivers will try to go around the line on cold tires, being able to go wheel to wheel with the rest.
Pierre Gasly was given a black-and-white flag warning for crossing the pitlane start line ahead of Sainz midway through FP3, but appeared to make a mistake in gauging the Ferrari’s position as he tried to accelerate.
Williams single-seater performance boss Dave Robson has indicated that drivers at the back of the grid will have to “accept the lack of grip” at the start when they go off the grid, but suggested this at the pit exit “it’s going to be interesting”.
“With cars coming out of the pitlane it’s tricky if you’re racing a single-seater, that whole area is going to make for some interesting side-by-side battles,” he concluded.
