Architects of the Miami circuit explained that the most technically-demanding corner sequence when it comes to construction are “on the limitations of design” .
British specialists Apex Circuit Design were responsible of the 5.41-kilometre anticlockwise circuit, that is ready to host its inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix in just seven days, which takes place around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
The most sinuous zone of the Miami track is represented by Turns 13-16, that wind around the entrance and exit ramps and beneath the flyover sections of the Florida Turnpike, the main toll road between Miami and Orlando, and NW 203rd Street.
The Miami International Autodrome will most likely produce an average lap speed of just under 135mph, and this slow-speed zone precedes a 1.28km, 320kph straight which leads to the hairpin at corner 17.
The approach to Turn 17 should be best chance drivers have of attempting a pass and the compression effect of the Turn 13-16 sequence should ensure close running onto the back straight.
The FIA rules regarding clearance of overhead structures to the track surface state that the layout needs to dip beneath the two overpasses, shortly after rising 11 feet to cross the Southbound access ramp, creating a crest in the Turn 14-15 chicane that will severely punish any driving errors.
This whole sequence was a real engineering challenge,” admitted Apex project lead design engineer Andrew Wallis, who explained: “[Apex founder and director] Clive Bowen’s concept design required us to route the track through this zone and for us to get beneath the first overpass, we had to meet the FIA regulation that requires at least four metres of clearance, but as we have to tie into the levels of the Turnpike slip road that has a 7% crossfall, our track surface was climbing just at the point where we needed it to be falling. There is also an F1 regulation about the rate of change of elevation linked to the square of the speed of the car, so this design basically threads the needle in three dimensions to ensure that the cars go slowly enough to align with the camber of the crossing and then get back under the overpass. We’ve created this pretty dramatic corner sequence where you have a sharp chicane, which has a minimum design speed of 80kph to meet the rate of change regulation, and it’s also completely blind for the drivers because of the elevation change. We simulated over 10 design iterations here to achieve the 2D and 3D geometry required to thread the needle. We’re right on the limitations of design in this area. In this location, we’re having to install the debris fence from behind the barrier because there is no room to lift the debris fence over the barrier.” – he added, as reported by Motorsport.
This entire area section of the circuit comes after a tight left-hander at Turn 11 which exits into a flowing right-hander through Turn 12, that is off-camber, and should represent a big challenge in itself as the cars will be highly loaded on the approach.
“I think the T11-T16 sequence features some great corners and hopefully the drivers will find it challenging with the new cars,” Andrew Wallis continued – “They will have to prepare while they’re coming through the previous right-hander, so not only can you not see the apex you’ll have a lateral load on the car under braking, while spotting the apex late to make the corner. In qualifying, I think it’ll be a truly make-or-break corner for the overall lap time. Arguably this is the most technically challenging part of the track. It then leads on to the longest straight, so any potential mistakes could be cumulated by the time drivers reach Turn 17 and should promote overtaking opportunities and, if nothing else, will bunch cars onto the straight.” – he said.
The Turnpike freeway is less than 25 metres away from the circuit at this point, and fans will not be allowed to acces this zone, as marshals will be the only ones stationed there.
Apex’s project director Sam Worthy said: “Having the Turnpike so close, to protect the race cars and the marshals we will erect barriers and screens along the boundary so that drivers on the Turnpike aren’t distracted by what’s going on. So that was a major concern to us, to ensure it’s a safe race for everyone. As there’s no room to have any grandstands or spectators here, F1 has been very keen to fill this area with cameras to ensure multiple TV viewing angles – as we know we’ll see a lot of interesting on-track action here.” – he concluded.
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