What's the problem with the Circuit of the Americas?

After more than two years of absence, the United States Grand Prix is ​​finally back in Formula 1 for what constitutes the start of the final sprint of an epic 2021 season, capped by a duel Hamilton-Verstappen high-flying. This weekend, however, the race and everyone's strategies should not be the only subjects discussed during the seventeenth meeting of the season.

A problem that has been highlighted since 2019…

While the discontent has gradually settled in the ranks of MotoGP on the occasion of the meeting three weeks ago, the subject of the Austin track had already caused some stir during the 2019 Formula 1 Grand Prix. At the time, many drivers had reported a laborious circuit, forcing those responsible for the circuit to plan certain bumps during the night from Friday to Saturday, between two free practice sessions. Not ideal.

An episode which will also provoke some questions among some following the abandonment of Sebastian Vettel, at the time at Ferrari, after only eight laps of racing, due to his broken right rear suspension. The person himself will discuss the subject after the Grand Prix:

“I had very little grip from the first lap,” explained the four-time world champion. I tried everything, I was starting to find rhythm but it broke in turn 9. Is it the bumps? I was really careful all weekend though. We don't know what happened but it appears to be a clean break. »

The inglorious episode at the time therefore pushed the circuit organizers to resurface almost 40% of the track, which is 5,513 km long, let us remember. Turns 1, 10 and 12 had been targeted as a priority, while certain bumps on curves 3, 5 and 9 were also planed. But since then, as strange as it may seem, no delegation has come to take stock of the work. The Covid period is a good thing and will be the ready excuse for the leaders of the FIM (International Motorcycling Federation) in particular.

…and still not resolved in 2021

After F1 rolled around in Europe for more than a year amid a health crisis, Austin found some color again, on the occasion of the Grand Prix of MotoGP from the beginning of October, as mentioned above. The weekend was disrupted by rain, but also, and above all, by the concerns of many drivers, asking for a shortening of the event, or even an outright cancellation. Three weeks before the arrival of F1, this does not bode well.

Race director of the championship since 2019, Michael Masi still wanted to reassure his people, ahead of yet another decisive weekend in the race for the title and all the issues that go with it. “I was on the phone with my FIM colleagues throughout the [MotoGP Americas GP] weekend to really understand what the situation was. Since the 1 F2019 GP, much of the circuit has been resurfaced to counter some of the issues seen in 2019.

“The areas that were problematic on motorcycles are different from those that have been resurfaced. And Tony Cotman, who is one of the FIA's platinum circuit inspectors, has already been to Austin and made a report. The circuit is making some changes for us, to address some of our concerns. They will smooth out a few bumps in particular […] They will do what they can within the allotted time. »

Austin should definitely specialize in planing and resurfacing occasionally, as it has done so much in recent years. What if the problem ultimately did not come from the circuit itself, but from the place where it is located more specifically? Built between 2010 and 2012 on the outskirts of the capital of Texas, the track has the particularity of being on so-called “soft” terrain, where the elements never stop working, and therefore constantly evolving. A situation that is delicate to say the least, and which would require large-scale work in the coming months, at a cost that is expensive to say the least. Knowing that the MotoGP Grand Prix returns to its place on the 2022 calendar in April, this leaves little time for organizers to decide quickly and act.

In the meantime, the F1 United States Grand Prix will indeed be held this weekend. Although the majority of pilots have not yet expressed themselves on the subject, many questions remain. Starting with the effectiveness of the Pirelli tires, which have not been able to carry out tests since the last resurfacing in 2019.

Fortunately, certain declarations tend to reassure observers, like a Nikita mazepin (Haas) is delighted to be going to Texas this weekend, and who admits to finding “the cool track”. We are reassured…