Will Austin get its track limit problems under control in 2024? In recent years, the Circuit of the Americas has repeatedly had difficulties with the route boundaries, which on the Texas circuit mainly lead to asphalt run-off areas.
But as part of the re-asphalting of the route, work was also carried out on the run-off areas and fake gravel beds, grass and additional cameras were installed in some places. This is also a reaction to events that occurred last season.
Some areas there could not be adequately monitored, meaning that drivers with persistent track limit violations got away with it unpunished. Curve 6 in particular was the focus in 2023 because many drivers were often too far to the left, but they could not be penalized.
Although onboard recordings had shown track limit violations, a protest from Haas had to be rejected because there were no recordings from a stationary camera on the track that could permanently and unequivocally prove violations.
These places are affected
To avoid a repeat of this scenario, Austin has taken measures to install a 1.5 meter wide grass strip behind the track barrier in some places to discourage drivers from leaving the track. Specifically, it affects the inside of curves 6, 13, 14 and 15.
In Zandvoort there is not only a real gravel bed but also fake gravel
Foto: Motorsport Network
Additional cameras were also installed in “strategic locations” to better keep an eye on cars.
Work was also carried out at the exit of Turn 11, the tight left-hand bend before the back straight: where there was previously an asphalt run-off with small hills on it, there is now a gravel bed filled with resin – like in the Zandvoort chicane, so that there are no stones be thrown up when driving over.
Difficulties with MotoGP
It is said that the changes are intended as an experiment; after all, the CoTA also has to respond to the requirements of MotoGP. “There are some areas where it’s difficult because when you run MotoGP and F1 on the same track, one wants gravel in an area where the other doesn’t,” said track boss Bobby Epstein.
“You can’t have it both ways, and you can’t cut up the track and put in gravel and then reverse the roll again and hope it stays waterproof when you have clay underneath. So there’s a back and forth of challenges.”
Austin also resurfaced the track this year, which could help remove the frequently criticized bumps on the course. According to Epstein, that was also the goal. “Some parts of the route were 12 years old, so it was time,” he says.
“I know that Max [Verstappen] gave a pretty bad review last year. So I hope we hear something positive. I’m sure we’ll hear: ‘This is a completely new track. She’s fantastic.'”
Formula 1 will hold its next race in Austin. The race takes place from October 18th to 20th.
