FLOYD ON F1: Texas sized problem waiting at COTA?

I was interested by the 2022 F1 calendar, presented by the F1 Commission to the World Motorsport Council, accepted and confirmed by the FIA.

Despite ongoing effects of Covid-19, those in charge have published a 23 race programme – ambitious, considering this year’s battle to run 22 races.

Nevertheless it is always encouraging to see growth within F1, whether for the sporting activity or, more likely in these days, the financial rewards for the company shareholders.

Cynical? Probably, when one reviews situations like a change of F1 ownership and the constant attempts to make it more “popular”. Night races, sprint qualifying and the possibility of a “Grand Slam World Title” if the sprint format is finally adopted.

The 23-race calendar drops Turkey and Portugal, while adding Australia, Singapore, Japan and Canada. Plus, of course the all important brand new Miami GP, the so-called “Destination City” event.

China is dropped for the third year and will be replaced once again by Imola. The Italian circuit, along with Singapore, Spain and the US are subject to contract agreements and Miami requires FIA circuit homologation.

It is not easy to host an F1 race. Look at the requirements for a Grade 1 licence, and you would be amazed at the list of items and facilities required. That is apart from the track itself, which is equally well covered including condition and maintenance. This is where I become confused.

This weekend all eyes turn to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) outside Austin, Texas, for the US Grand Prix, yet this is a circuit with issues.

Following the recent MotoGP the well known “bumps” at this circuit once again were problematic. Think back to the last F1 race at the circuit in 2019 when Sebastian Vettel suffered suspension failure on one of those “bumps”.

Several of the MotoGP riders complained saying the track was unsafe and the series has intimated it will not run again unless improvements are made.

The problem apparently is the result of flooding back in 2015 and despite the use of surface grinders and some resurfacing in 2019/2020 the track still has major issues. Apparently none of this work was carried out or supervised by a specialist.

F1 Race director Michael Masi is in contact with officials from COTA and MotoGP regarding these problems. He is also in contact with an FIM colleague to ensure all will be well for this weekend’s Grand Prix.

He was reported as saying:  “They’ll grind some bumps and so forth, but we’ve got some time to do it so they’ll do what they can in the time frame.”

I have a feeling of déjà vu after reading this missive – surely the track needs to totally meet the stringent regulations for a Grade 1 licence, which requires a billiard table surface? How on earth did ground effect cars back then manage to function – those skirts must have been a lot more flexible than we ever knew.