One of the most significant changes that teams and drivers will have to adapt to as they take on the Austin Motor Speedway circuit is the new asphalt surface.
Pirelli tire manufacturers have already mentioned this, but it is foreseeable that there will be many more conversations on this topic. Bobby Epstein, president of Circuit of the Americas, is confident racers will appreciate the quality of work done.
“It seems like it’s a completely new song, don’t you think? – he told journalists from local publications and invited them to the track. “It will make a completely different impression on the riders.” Over the years we have repeatedly corrected some problem areas, but I know that large-scale work to renew the coating should have been carried out long ago.
This should shorten lap times and set several records. I’m sure the riders will like the new asphalt.”
Work on the construction of the new surface took place over the course of a year and was divided into two phases: the first was completed in time for the spring round of MotoGP, which took place at COTA in April, and the second before the September race of the MotoGP. the World Endurance Championship. A total of 18,076 tons of asphalt was laid.
Epstein did not mention the exact cost of the project, only stating that the investment was expressed in an eight-figure amount: “Let’s just say the bill for the work was very high.”
According to the Austin American Statesman newspaper, which is published in Austin, the costs of the American Grand Prix promoters can range from 10 to 20 million dollars.
Last year we quoted the words of Max Verstappen, who criticized the state of the Texas Motor Speedway circuit, and Epstein also referred to the three-time world champion about the work carried out:
“Max’s unflattering review was probably the final straw, but it really is time to do this. The circuit is already 12 years old and the track surface was clearly not in the best condition, especially for MotoGP bikes.
Even if there were no bumps in some parts of the circle, the asphalt there was already starting to crack. But the soil here is clay, and it’s terrible. This poses problems for any construction. But we hope that the new track surface will last for the next 10 years. I think everyone will be happy and the drivers will be able to fully concentrate on working on their car.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
