For the vast majority of drivers, the weekend does not start with free practice on Friday and even less so when they land on a new circuit, as is the case at this 2022 Miami Grand Prix.
During the day on Thursday, the drivers answer questions from the media, sign autographs and tour the track on foot or by bike. The latter is really important, since it is the moment in which they can carefully observe in first person the many peculiarities or even dangers of each circuit.
With a completely new track for F1 in Miami , this Thursday the pilots were able to walk every inch of the line and the chicane that is located at the entrance to the pits seems to have attracted particular attention.
This sequence of left and right is found just after turn 18 and will slow down the drivers, who will come in at high speed to change their tires in one of the possible hot spots of the circuit.
Yesterday afternoon, the FIA still hadn’t decided where to put the 80 km/h limit, but it looks like it will finally be before the chicane, with the aim of forcing drivers to brake before reaching curbs that could be very complicated. Even at low speeds, overconfidence in these turns could end up causing an accident.
“It’s a very tight [area], but we’ll see how much we can reduce [before we get there],” said Pierre Gasly. “I practiced it in the simulator, but there it maximized the limits of the track and that makes it easier. Now we can’t cross the white line, so it’s going to be quite difficult for sure.”
Yuki Tsunoda, the Frenchman’s teammate, explained that he prefers them to place big curbs over white lines that are too easy to overcome: “I would say it’s better than having white lines and that’s it. I think in terms of consistency, or to make it fairer I think it’s good to have big curbs. Of course, if you’re too aggressive, you’ll rebound and go over the white line, so you’ll get a penalty.”
“It’s very close and tight, but we’ll have to slow down anyway. So I think the chicane is pretty good. Any mistakes? It will depend on how we pit, it’s better to accelerate on the track than from it, so I don’t think we’re going to see a lot of mistakes there in my opinion.”
At Haas F1 Team, the drivers agree that limiting speed before this chicane will make overtaking easier: “I don’t know where they are going to put the 80 km/h sign,” said the Dane. “If it’s later, it’ll be a bit tricky. But I think they’ll put it on earlier.”
“I think the goal is to have drivers who push themselves to the limit,” said Mick Schumacher. “Luckily it’s not a sprint weekend, so we have time in free practice to come as prepared as possible and even understand if changes are needed or not. I think with the 80km/h speed limit, we will be able to go through there without problem”, concluded the German.
