FIA Eases Track Limits at US Grand Prix After 207 Lap Deletions
The FIA has relaxed track limits at several corners in Austin after Friday's free practice saw 207 laps deleted. Adjustments include widening white lines and addressing circuit bumpiness.
Alex Albon might have felt like he was driving on a tightrope during practice in Austin, as he racked up the most lap deletions of anyone on the grid. It seems he wasn't alone, though, with a grand total of 207 laps being struck off across the board. The FIA has now stepped in to give drivers a bit more breathing room, announcing relaxed track limits for the United States Grand Prix.
FIA race director Rui Marques has confirmed that the white lines marking the track boundaries at Turns 12, 15, and 20 have been widened. Additionally, the blue line, which marks the absolute limit of the track, has been repositioned to make these changes effective. These adjustments come after Friday's practice sessions where several corners proved to be hotspots for track limit infringements.
But that’s not all. The Circuit of The Americas has been under the microscope for its bumpy ride, with drivers, including Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto, voicing concerns. "It’s very harsh," Bortoleto stated, pointing out that for a track of F1 standards, the bumps are less than ideal. To address this, the fast left-hander at Turn 19 has undergone asphalt grinding to smooth out the ride.
Turns 6, 12, 15, 19, and 20 were particularly problematic on Friday, with Turn 20 bearing an extra sting in its tail. Not only do drivers lose their current lap for exceeding limits there, but they also lose their next lap due to its position leading onto the pit straight.
Meanwhile, Alex Albon had a challenging time with his Williams FW48, which was more than a handful and contributed to his record number of deleted laps without a representative time set. The adjustments to the track might just offer him and others a chance to showcase their true pace over the weekend.
As for the circuit's infamous bumps, Bortoleto lamented that parts of the track that were resurfaced don't see much action, suggesting that efforts might have been better spent on the areas that impact driving quality. "Hopefully for the future," he added, "they can fix it because it’s an amazing track, amazing layout, and I love to race here. But, with these bumps, sometimes it can be also dangerous."