The men responsible for the design of the Miami circuit explain its challenge, not least the ‘mistake generator' in the final sector.

While much of the F1 world appears to have already gone bat-shit crazy over this weekend's inaugural Miami Grand Prix, fans of a certain vintage are reserving judgement. And who can blame them.

As McLaren explains in its preview of the weekend; "Miami International Autodrome is unique. It's built on the parking lots surrounding the Hard Rock Stadium, but it isn't a parking lot track in the sense that the Caesars Palace Grand Prix in the early 1980s was. Nor is it a street circuit - though it's often referred to as such. MIA is a permanent circuit, and constructed and graded as such - albeit a permanent circuit on which all of the visible surface furniture will be removed after the race, allowing the land to revert to its usual usage as tennis courts, merchandising and, yes, car parking."

F1? Car parks? It's enough to send shivers down the spine.

However, the team behind the circuit's design are keen to explain the thinking behind the track, insisting that its "Jekyll and Hyde" character will present a unique challenge for the drivers.

"As a company our ethos is to challenge all of the F1 teams, their cars, their race engineers and, of course, their drivers," explains design engineer Charles Metcalfe, according to F1i.

"So we focus on corner sequences, a dynamic range of corners, from fast-speed to low-speed, and to achieve this we do a lot of simulation work and intentionally ensure there are different corner sequences in a lap which flatter different vehicle set ups."

Contrary to what one might think, the company behind the circuit's design is British, in fact Apex Circuit Design is based in Bledlow in Buckinghamshire, around 30 miles from another challenging F1 track, Silverstone.

"There is a very high speed and high lateral g section from Turns 4 to 8 where cars will likely struggle to pass and where vehicle performance on the exit of Turn 8 is critical to lap-time," explains Metcalfe, "followed by two fast power-limited corners at Turn 9 and 10 where it is credible to imagine side-by side racing."

"We had to ensure that we had a racetrack that had enough of a Jekyll and Hyde personality that they were mostly sections with grade change and a lot of traction which require a soft setup on a car, then some super high-speed sections where you want to have a stiff setup to get the best from aero performance and therefore lateral grip through the corners," adds company founder Clive Bowen.

However, it is the final sector that Apex is convinced will present the biggest challenge.

"The sequence from Turn 13 through to 16 is where we thread the needle under the Turnpike overpasses," says Bowen. "Going into Turn 14, you don't see the apex of Turn 15 until you're on the apex of Turn 14.

"It's what we call a ‘mistake generator' so the opportunity for drivers to gain position because somebody in front overdrives is quite high."

Check out our Thursday gallery from Miami, here.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 06/05/2022 8:50

"A circuit made from Car Parks & Tennis Courts doesn't augur well, but I'll wait 'til we've seen some carts "racing" before I decide if it's as bad as I suspect it will be.

@LiamIII - I quite agree. "Watkins Glen" has cachet. USA has dozens of Tracks, and it must be possible to upgrade at least one to F1 standards.... "

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2. Posted by LiamIII, 05/05/2022 17:59

"Reading the sad passing of Tony Brooks (R.I.P.) I was reminded or greater days past. I am to young to remember ever seeing an F1 event at Watkins Glen, but I've seen some recent SCCA races, etc. Wow, what a track. Wouldn't it be glorious to see a race there now? Maybe someone with a pay grade higher than mine can explain why they don't just upgrade the track to modern F1 standards and hold a race there?

Oh wait, sorry, I forgot, ...its not a race its a "party, concert, and anything other than a true sporting event". Oh, I guess there are also no 5 star resorts built with MY petro-dollar for the children at Liberty to show off their shiny toys to their "friends". "

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3. Posted by Apexing, 05/05/2022 15:18

"Oh, crap..."There is a very high speed and high lateral g section from Turns 4 to 8 where cars will likely struggle to pass..." so they specifically designed the track to prevent passing. Great plan, guys. MIA indeed. "

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4. Posted by SF 158, 05/05/2022 13:53

"Maybe it will be a good safety-car and red-flag generator like all the other 'close racing' alongside barriers circuits."

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5. Posted by Max Noble, 05/05/2022 11:23

"Shame the Hot Wheels Double-loop didn’t make the final design. Like others, very curious to see how this one races. As Forrest Gump never said “Car park is as car park does…”.
"

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6. Posted by Wokingchap, 05/05/2022 10:26

"That concrete pillar doesn't look too welcoming, in fact it looks deadly. Surely they could've kept the track a few more yards further away. Nevertheless I'm looking forward to the race. "

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Designers explain "Jekyll and Hyde" Miami circuit

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