COTA boss shares why track changes have been made after ‘pretty poor’ Max Verstappen review

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Organisers for the United States Grand Prix have made several changes to the Circuit of the Americas in a bid to help reduce problems that led to Max Verstappen branding it ‘pretty poor’ last year.

Track limits were a hot topic at last year’s race after several instances of drivers going all four wheels off track, with Haas filing a right to review multiple drivers that should have been sanctioned.

The FIA stewards dismissed Haas’ request, but onboard footage showed drivers were running wide at Turn 6 and other corners which prompted some teams to complain about the lack of action.

F1 has tried several solutions to combatting track limits in recent races, notably at the Austrian Grand Prix when the track implemented a track limits solution which included installing strips of gravel at the offending corners.

Now COTA is hoping that the same can be done for the US GP this year with the latest upgrades, according to US GP organiser Bobby Epstein when speaking to Motorsport.com.

Circuit of the Americas organisers detail track changes for the US GP

After the situation that occurred last year, a series of modifications have been made to prevent a repeat including the narrowing of the asphalt verges by 1.5 metres and replaced with astro turf.

Changes have also been made at the exit of Turn 11, which have now been fitted with ‘fake gravel’ to act as a deterrent for drivers without risking stones from being brought back onto the track and potentially damaging tyres.

The track has also been resurfaced which should smoothen the surfaces, after Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were both disqualified due to their cars hitting the bumps and wearing down the skid blocks.

Epstein says the changes were made as a result of driver feedback, particularly from Verstappen who made his views clear on the matter.

“It was mainly to get rid of the bumps. Some of that track was 12 years old, so it was time,” said Epstein.

“I know Max [Verstappen] gave it a pretty poor review last year. So I hope we hear something positive. I’m certain we’re going to hear: ‘This is like a totally new track. It’s fantastic.’”

McLaren expected to deliver ‘sizable’ upgrade for 2024 season at Austin

McLaren enters the final six races of the season on the cusp of achieving their first Constructors’ Championship since the 1998 season.

The team is currently 41 points ahead of Red Bull in the standings and is looking to extend that by bringing further upgrades to their car at the next race in Austin.

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Lando Norris has admitted that Ferrari might be McLaren’s closest rival for the rest of the season, as they also look like a threat to Red Bull’s second place.

The Briton will be hoping that any upgrades enable them to maintain their performance advantage, as he looks to take the Drivers’ Championship down to the wire with Max Verstappen.