Partly due to their busy travel schedule, but also because of the time it takes for teams to properly model the new layouts with their simulation software , Formula 1 drivers are typically only allowed to test them the week before the race.
However, four of the drivers on the current grid took the opportunity to test the Miami circuit before traveling to Imola, with three of them doing so in the Red Bull Technology simulator at Milton Keynes .
“I’ve tested it and I must say it’s quite impressive,” said Pierre Gasly when asked about it by Motorsport.com.
“I really liked the layout. There are a lot of high-speed sections, quite challenging, unusual cornering style, extremely long corners and also very long straights.”
“I think we should have good American entertainment, good entertainment all weekend, so I’m really excited about it and the location is unique. So I’m really excited for the weekend.”
Sergio Pérez, for his part, warned that the end of the lap was quite tight, with a series of slow corners from 11 to 16, which are the ones that lead to the back straight.
“I think it’s a good circuit,” said the Red Bull Mexican. “I think it’s got a bit of a twisty area that’s quite difficult to get right, and visibility can be tricky.”
“But I think racing can be good with all those long straights. I just hope the tarmac is good and we can have good racing, because when we get to brand new circuits we always get some good surprises.”
Yuki Tsunoda, Gasly ‘s teammate at AlphaTauri, also referred to the last part of the track as an extra challenge.
“It’s very different, especially in the third sector, they are very tight corners,” explained the Japanese driver. “If a safety car comes out I guess there will be a real jam, because it’s a very tight [area], even on a fast lap, it’s very slow corners.
“So it’s going to be interesting to watch, but as Checo says, I expect overtaking to be the key at that track.”
Valtteri Bottas, who has been able to experience this new layout in the Alfa Romeo simulator at Hinwil , also believes that the track should be a good one for the spectacle of racing.
“Actually, it was good to see that it looks like a really good track for overtaking,” said the Finn.
“I think the way the track has been planned, I think from my side it looks positive. It should be a good race. The straights are quite long and there are a couple of really good overtaking opportunities.
“So we’re going to see what it’s like in real life, but to me, on paper, it looks good. And I’m sure as an event it’s going to be pretty amazing.”
