Formula 1 drivers have urged Miami Grand Prix organizers to change the type of barrier used at the corner where Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon crashed heavily.
The Miami International Autodrome is hosting its first Grand Prix this weekend and the concrete barrier used at Turn 14 has become a point of criticism after two crashes in 24 hours.
Sainz and Ocon lost control of their cars in separate incidents at Turn 13 on Friday and Saturday and both hit the barrier at Turn 14. Ocon did so with enough force to break his chassis, causing him to prevented from participating in the qualifications.
« Carlos complained to the race director, we are all there listening to him and nothing has been done, » said Ocon. « There was a discussion last night, Carlos said the impact was way too big for what it should have been and today was huge, probably the biggest crash of my career « So yesterday Carlos got injured, I got injured today too. The FIA should push harder for our safety. But the important thing is that we are able to race. »
His team-mate Fernando Alonso says Sainz’s accident made it clear that a different type of barrier is needed at this corner.
« We’re in the car and we know what it feels like when you hit the wall. And Carlos made it very clear that it wasn’t fair to just have the wall there with no other protection. So, we had another accident, same place, same angle, another driver got hit. So we have a second chance to put something in place for the race. »
Speaking after qualifying, Sainz echoed Ocon’s thoughts that the impact of the crash shouldn’t have been so great given the speed he was driving.
« I’m sorry to be critical, but I told the FIA yesterday that my crash in second gear shouldn’t be so bad, and today I had a bit of neck pain, » Sainz said.
« I told them, let’s put some Tecpros over there, because it’s a very hard concrete wall. Esteban crashed, and I’m sure he felt it too. Their response? Nothing! is one of those things I’ll never understand. »
Valtteri Bottas felt that there was « all the reasons to have a Tecpro barrier at the exit of turn 13 »and expected it to be « a topic of discussion at the next drivers’ briefing in Spain ».
Lance Stroll said he was « ridiculous » that the bend is lined with concrete barriers instead of TecPro, a widely used alternative that absorbs impact through layers of plastic and polystyrene.
« They should just put it on. I don’t know what it is, nobody wants to hit a concrete wall. It’s a joke! »
And Lando Norris to echo him. « Lance called it a joke, it’s the same for me. There are some things that we understand and know better than maybe what they can see. Because we know where the additional risks are and where the car is on the limit and things like that. »
« So given that it’s been brought up, and it’s a safety issue, and it’s something we gave advice on and nothing was done, so I think it was… .yes a joke. »
The severity of the crashes has alarmed the drivers, according to Sergio Perez. « We were surprised by the amount of G Carlos and Esteban had taken in those crashes. Such small crashes and so many Gs, over 50 for Esteban! »
« We don’t want to see this again. We want extra precautions in the future and to avoid all these types of serious accidents. To be fair to the FIA, it may not have been possible to change from Friday to Saturday but there is time for the race. »
Sebastian Vettel was unsure whether an immediate change was possible but insisted it was necessary.
« It will still damage the car when you come off the track, but the question is where you land, if there is concrete or TecPro. I don’t know what can be done overnight but for when we will be back in 2023, it is important to look at all the places and see if you can improve. »
« Also around the straights I think we should have safer walls, we shouldn’t just have these concrete blocks. The Steel And Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) barrier is widely used in American motorsport. You don’t you don’t even have to make a mistake, you can get a puncture that’s not your fault and it’s always nicer to hit something softer than harder. »
While in tension with the FIA at the moment, Lewis Hamilton sounded less alarmist this time around.
« When we get to these new tracks they do their best. I think they’ve done a great job on all these new tracks safely. You can’t predict at every turn where we’ll need TecPro. But Safety on the track is excellent. »
“Of course after the experience of this weekend we can see where the FIA can improve. But that is part of the lessons we are learning.