Tested in simulator, the Miami layout impresses the pilots
Some drivers have been able to test the Autodrome Internationale de Miami circuit in a simulator. Gasly, Perez, Tsunoda, and Bottas are already convinced, even if they fear sector 3, which is very twisty and potentially treacherous.
A few days before heading to Miami for the first time in Formula 1 history, the drivers have shared their first impressions of the Florida track, which they were able to test in the simulator. Gasly, Perez, Tsunoda, and Bottas are already won over.
I tried it [in a simulator] and I have to say it looks rather amazing. I really enjoyed the layout. Lots of high-speed content, quite challenging, unusual types of turns, extremely long and very long straights. I think we’re in for a great entertainment all weekend, so I’m very excited and the location is unique. Pierre Gasly is looking forward to it.
AlphaTauri’s French driver has been joined by Sergio Perez. The Mexican had already had the opportunity to drive on the circuit during a promotional video for Red Bull. He dreads the tight corners of sector 3 on the Florida track.
I think it’s a good track. There’s a somewhat twisty section that is quite difficult to master, and visibility can be challenging. But I believe the race can be good with all these long straights. I just hope the tarmac will be good and that we can have good races because when we arrive at new circuits, we encounter surprises, explains the poleman of Jeddah.
Welcome to Miami 😎🌴
Jump onboard for a virtual lap of the sun-soaked circuit that will play host to @f1miami in 2022! 🎥
🎥 x Apex Circuit Designs
🎮 x Assetto Corsa#MiamiGP #F1 @HardRockStadium pic.twitter.com/McHCF5Mc1Z— Formula 1 (@F1) April 22, 2021
Sergio Perez’s remarks about the final sector are shared by Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver is cautious about the sequence of turns 11 to 16, which precede a never-ending straight line and a heavy braking point at turn 17 that could facilitate overtaking.
« It’s really different, especially in sector three, those turns are so tight. If a safety car comes out, I think there’s going to be a real traffic jam there because it’s incredibly tight. So it’s going to be interesting to see, hoping that overtaking will be the key for this track, Tsunoda explained.
Former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas is also impressed by the Miami circuit where he predicts a good race. It’s nice to see that it seems to be a really good track for overtaking. It should be a good race with quite long straights and some very good overtaking opportunities. We will see how it goes in reality, but on paper, it looks good to me. And I’m sure that as an event, it’s going to be pretty incredible, says Bottas.
