Verstappen disappointed with the new F1 cars’ performance on city circuits
City circuits are now an important part of the Formula 1 World Championship calendar. They give an exhilarating impression of speed on a narrow track, but often reduce the scope for overtaking. Max Verstappen spoke about this very special type of track.
Urban circuits are multiplying and make up nearly a third of the World Championship. The on-track spectacle is often lacking because with wider and longer single-seaters, drivers struggle to overtake. Max Verstappen believes that the 2022 single-seaters, which comply with a new technical regulation, are no longer suitable for circuits of this type.
« Formula 1 cars are really not made for that,” he declared.
In English, it would be translated as “Inadequate circuits.”
The difficulties in overtaking and safety are the main points raised against these city circuits. Some circuits recently introduced to the calendar, like Miami or Jeddah, do not have significant run-off areas that allow a single-seater to decelerate before hitting a wall.
Max Verstappen, the current double world champion, does not appreciate this new type of circuit and would like Formula 1 to continue evolving on dedicated circuits. The new cars introduced this year are more challenging to drive on these temporary circuits.
« In Monaco and Singapore, I was very disappointed with how the new cars performed on the streets. They were too heavy, too rigid, you can no longer ride over the curbs.
»
Last July, when Verstappen mentioned the possibility of the end of the contract with Paul Ricard, the Red Bull driver had already declared his preference for Formula 1 circuits that were actually built for it.
« I understand that everyone wants to make money, but there is also a limit to that. It is very important to keep cool tracks on the schedule and not just have urban circuits, which are not built for our single-seaters anyway.
» (No translation given)
