F1 News: Teams Warned Of Overheating Tyres At Austin Grand Prix Despite Partial Resurfacing

Teams brace for a thrilling Austin Grand Prix, keeping a watchful eye on tyre challenges amidst Sprint format debut.

In an insightful buildup to the Austin Grand Prix, F1 teams face challenges with tyres overheating at the Circuit of the Americas. As the United States welcomes its 75th Grand Prix, Austin hosts the F1 Sprint weekend for the first time.

Key Takeaways:

• Austin is set to host its first-ever 'Sprint' weekend, reshaping the conventional race weekend dynamics.
• The race will mark the 75th Grand Prix event in the U.S., showcasing the country's deep-rooted association with the sport.
• Overheating concerns arise as tyre degradation at Austin is majorly thermal, challenging teams to tread cautiously.

The Circuit of the Americas has a storied history, having welcomed Formula 1 races since 2012, with the only exception being in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this year's iteration, the drivers have the P Zero White hard as C2, P Zero Yellow medium as C3, and P Zero Red soft as C4. Interestingly, the medium and hard compounds were deployed in last year's race. Max Verstappen, the previous race winner, utilised the medium compound for his initial and last stints, with the hard compound sandwiched into his mid-race run.

The iconic Herman Tilke-designed circuit boasts sections inspired by celebrated turns from renowned tracks worldwide. Aspects of the Maggotts-Becketts complex from Silverstone are evident in turns 3 to 6, while the sequence from turns 12 to 15 draws inspiration from Hockenheimring. Additionally, turns 16 to 18 mirror the illustrious turn 8 from Istanbul Park.

- Mercedes-AMG

For fans, there's another exciting facet to this Grand Prix: the F1 Academy will run alongside Formula 1 for the first time in Austin, marking the end of their season. Young female drivers in this Pirelli-equipped series will face off at the Texan track. As of now, Prema Racing's Marta Garcia leads the championship with a commendable 235 points.

Mario Isola, commenting on the upcoming race, mentioned:

"Austin kicks off a series of four races on the American continent. The United States Grand Prix has become even more significant in recent years, thanks to Liberty Media's impactful initiatives.

"The Circuit of the Americas is a well-rounded track, distinguished by its iconic Turn 1 following a steep 22-metre climb within just 200 meters. The track challenges tyres predominantly through lateral forces.

"Despite the partial resurfacing last year, the asphalt remains bumpy, making tyres susceptible to slight sliding and potential overheating."

Moreover, the weather during this autumn-held race remains unpredictable, although it's expected to be a hot race. 

Closing on an anticipatory note, Isola added:

"With the Sprint format making its debut in Austin this year, it's yet another spectacle for the ever-growing fanbase of modern F1."