I’m at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin Texas covering IndyCars’ inaugural visit here, and a somewhat unexpected controversy has developed. You see the track at COTA has really large paved aprons and runoff areas on some corners and in some of those curves it can be an advantage to utilize said spaces as actual real estate to race on. And there is the sticking point.
The idea with these big, wide open spaces is that drivers will be “forgiven” by the track for overcooking a corner and venturing outside of the racing surface between the curbs. If they go off onto a paved area they can often reenter the race and continue on rather than get stuck in grass, a gravel pit or worse, a guardrail. But some drivers have found that in a few places they can actually use those areas as extra racing surface and go faster. Especially if their car isn’t working well. So no harm no foul right? Well, no.
In turn 19 here at COTA especially, the wide runoff can come in really handy, especially if you go OUTSIDE the curb and onto the apron. If a car is not setup really well, that arc can allow a driver to go through there quicker than if they stayed within the curbing. And there’s the rub. Should they be penalized for using that area? Some say yes and some say no.
To complicate matters, the tire wear for the IndyCars on this race track is a bit of a concern and there was talk that making the drivers hold tight inside the curb on that turn 19 could possibly load the right front tire enough to cause premature wear and even failures.
IndyCar officials have deemed that drivers can use the areas outside the curb without penalty. And drivers seem to be divided on the issue of whether this is right or wrong.
Will Power of Team Penske said “Personally, I think it would be better if there was a track limit. It’s harder then. You’ve got to get the corner right. Right now, you’ve still got to get the corner right, but I just think a track limit would be better.”
Series rookie, but very experienced Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist has a slightly different view on the matter. “I’m not a fan of track limits; that’s why I like racing in America,” Rosenqvist said. “You go off and there’s grass, gravel or a wall. Here (at COTA), we come into that problem where we have the track limits. I’m kind of a fan for opening it up because then you know (the standard) is going to be the same for everyone.”
Here’s what it really boils down to race fans. If your car is working really well in turn 19 and you don’t need that extra apron, you are unhappy that some are using it, and quick to point out the “wrongness” of it. And if your car is not turning well, and that apron comes in really handy for you to continue on your quick lap, then you’re suddenly a big fan of “no limits.” You see, race car drivers are always looking for the advantage. For THEM. It’s their job to be faster than all the other drivers after all. But it is fun to watch the hypocrisy.
The race today may actually create a situation where turn 19 creates an issue. Or not. We’ll have to watch the race to find out! Either way the topic will probably come up again at some point. But is sure is fun to watch, and listen to drivers justify their respective positions on the deal.
What do you guys think? Inside the curbs or no limits? Let me know your thoughts (and what your favorite driver thinks about it) ?