The new Miami circuit will host the first Grand Prix in its history after having created a layout around Hard Rock Stadium . The layout has been inspired by several classic curves of the Formula 1 world championship, and combines high-speed sections with long straights, as well as a twisty section in the second sector.
However, this chicane within the low speed region has been the scene of several spins and errors over the weekend, as it is designed to slow down the cars before passing under the motorway that is present above the asphalt.
Although Daniel Ricciardo was quite happy with the track, saying “it’s not like any other circuit”, and that the designers had done a “good job” of making something unique, he felt this part was too narrow for Formula 1.
“The Mickey Mouse thing is too Mickey Mouse, I think,” said the Australian. “These cars are so big nowadays, and I think I’ve been quoted before as saying that the tracks aren’t getting wider, but the single-seaters are.
“So obviously this is a case where it’s pretty tight in places. It’s built around a stadium, so it’s not like there’s something open to do everything,” he continued.
“I’m sure there are some restrictions on what they can do,” said the McLaren driver, while his teammate, Lando Norris, said he also liked the Miami track, and that it had “good potential,” but considered that the chicane was “a hit and a miss”.
However, the Briton appreciated that the need to pass safely under the motorway meant that it was not feasible to eliminate this curve 14 and 15 : “I have been told that it is not possible due to the bridge that passes over it”.
“Cars can only go at a certain speed, so they had to put in a chicane. There was a reason to put it in, so maybe we have to stick with it,” he said.
“I hope not, I’m sure there is another way to avoid it, but as Daniel [Ricciardo] said, I don’t think there are many ways,” Lando Norris said before facing the first date in Miami.
Pierre Gasly, for his part, found the track “very fun”, although “too bumpy” at some points, and referred in the same way to the already famous chicane, comparing it to Formula E.
“Turn 1, 3 and 5 are quite bumpy, but then I really like the high-speed section. You can go over the curbs and go quite fast there, so it’s good,” said the Frenchman.
“I’m not a big fan of the Formula E chicane, it’s very tight, I prefer high-speed corners, especially with the cars we have, but I have to say it’s a great track to drive,” he explained.
Finally, Lewis Hamilton posted on his Instagram account after qualifying that he “liked” this Miami track a lot, although he expressed that “the chicane is the only thing that can be better”.
