F1 drivers debate Miami GP track changes to improve racing

Several drivers have called for track changes around the Hard Rock Stadium to liven up the spectacle of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

The Miami International Autodrome has received some criticism about the lack of overtaking, with races becoming processional.

But with F1 tied into Miami until 2031, it’s a venue that drivers will continue seeing on the calendar for some time.

Now in its fourth year of hosting, drivers were asked to comment on how they’d improve the F1 Miami GP venue.

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Almost every driver voted for Miami as a popular destination, with positive vibes for one of the Sunshine State’s coolest cities and the equally unique nature of hosting the paddock within the Hard Rock Stadium.

Sainz willing to help F1 Miami GP organisers with track tweaks

But, the circuit itself could do with some tweaks, at least, according to the likes of Carlos Sainz, who told select media including Motorsport Week on Thursday that, “I think the event keeps getting better every year and let’s say the organisation and the execution of the event.

“The next thing that we could do all together is just have a look at the track and see if we could reshape a couple of corners to see if we could create a bit of more exciting racing.

“Maybe as a GPDA director, if there’s any opportunity that the track is willing to say, ‘look, there is this area of this part of the track where we could reshape something,’ I’ll be very open to try to help the organisers to see if we can make it a bit better for overtaking, for example.”

Asked where he’d like to see improvements, Sainz said “Always the corners before the straights for us are very important and the corners at the end of the straights.

“So basically two areas that can potentially create overtaking and a better show.”

Haas’ Esteban Ocon noted changes made to the tight Turn 14/15 chicane, where he had a nasty shunt in 2022.

It’s an area he could see being improved with further alterations.

“I like the first sector of the track,” he said. “I think the sector with the chicane, the bridge, could be improved, although it already has been improved.

“I had a big crash in 2022 where I was probably in the biggest pain I had in a car over the years.

“As a crash, it was a huge impact, it was over 40Gs and that has been changed as well, now the wall is a lot closer, and it’s a lot less dangerous as a corner, which is very good.

“That chicane has improved. It was quite slow before it was interrupting the flow a little bit.

“That area could still be improved, but otherwise I think it’s a much better layout than it was when we started here.”

FIA increases DRS zone to aid overtaking in Miami

It appears that the FIA has listened to those who have expressed concerns to ensure more entertainment.

The solution will be a lengthening of the DRS zone prior to Turn 11 by 75 meters, approximately 82 yards.

Its approach is the incredibly fast complex, which begins at the exit of Turn 8, with a sweeping right-hand Turn 9 and a similarly fast one at Turn 10.

This could give drivers an increased chance of being able to gain positions prior to the tight and twisty complex between Turns 11 and 16.

While the DRS change is an improvement, it remains to be seen how much of an impact it truly has, and it certainly won’t hold as much as an impact as layout changes would.

Not everyone is for changing the Miami International Autodrome too much however, with Mercedes’ George Russell respecting its quirks.

“It’s a crazy race,” he said.

“The circuit is quirky. That tight section – we don’t love it, but it’s different.

“You know, the same like in Baku – we don’t love the castle section, it’s so tight and very challenging, but you don’t want every circuit to be the same either.

“It’s an amazing race. It’s improving every year.

“Things are looking better as well – driving to the paddock, it looks pretty cool. And where all of the team garages are set up inside the stadium – they’re the experts, we just drive the cars. It should stay like that.”

READ MORE – Five key talking points ahead of the 2025 F1 Miami GP