F1 and FIA to discuss Miami safety - Seidl

Ocon, Alpine, Miami, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

Miami Grand Prix

F1 and FIA to discuss Miami safety - Seidl

The concrete wall at turn 13 drew ire from drivers

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 10 May 2022 16:00

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McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl has suggested talks will take place regarding improvements to the Miami International Autodrome for its second event next year, including safety changes.

The inaugural Miami Grand Prix was a great success in terms of fan engagement and the general market exposure for F1, though some believed the off-track experience overpowered the on-track action.

Even so, the race fell behind only Bahrain in terms of the number of overtaking manoeuvres with 45.

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But across the weekend there were complaints about the turn 14-15 chicane as well as the placement of a solid concrete wall at the same part of the track.

Esteban Ocon labelled the FIA "unacceptable" for failing to heed driver concerns after the Alpine driver and Carlos Sainz crashed at the exit of turn 13, with the Spaniard carrying neck pain into the race.

On improvements for the 2023 running, Seidl said: "We all need to take our time now, together with the drivers, the engineers, to digest this weekend, and then go in a dialogue with the FIA and Formula 1 to see where we think things could improve for better racing, for example, from the safety aspect.

"I don't know how it was for you guys but overall the racing was okay out there."

McLaren support sparks 'pride'

The turnout of support across the weekend aside from the star-studded paddock was further proof of F1's growth in the United States.

Of the support, there was a swarm of Papaya-laden McLaren fans in the grandstands, no doubt down to the involvement of the team in Netflix's Drive to Survive and IndyCar.

"It was a crazy weekend," hailed Seidl.

"What the promoter put on was something very, very special, something I haven't experienced in my 28 years of motorsport.

"It's just great to see how Formula 1 is booming over here. Just an added confirmation that Formula 1 is going in a very good direction.

"And for us, as team members, seeing the engagement of the fans, how many McLaren fans were at the track, even in the city, it made you feel proud to be part of the team.

"It's something very, very special, that we appreciate a lot. The experience was great."

Additional reporting: Ian Parkes