In the round-up: Alfa Romeo’s Xevi Pujolar believes the Miami circuit layout will suit their car during next weekend’s Miami Grand Prix
In brief
Alfa Romeo “will be strong” around Miami circuit, predicts PujolarAlfa Romeo’s head of trackside engineering, Xevi Pujolar, predicts that the Miami Grand Prix circuit will suit their car’s strengths next weekend.
The team currently sit fifth in the constructors’ championship, having acquired 25 points over the first four rounds. Pujolar believes that the Miami circuit will suit the car better than Imola, where Valtteri Bottas scored their best result of the season so far with fifth.
“We expect to be stronger than in Imola,” Pujolar said. “I think the type of layout could maybe suit us a bit better.
“Now we’ve got an idea – we’ve got a layout in the simulator and everything – but how actually it will look, we’ll have to find out when we are there. So we’ll see. It’s kind of a layout that I think we will be strong, but we’ll have to see in terms of the tarmac and everything what actually what it will be. But everyone has a lot of expectation and for us now with the package and everything, fighting with Alpine and McLaren is very encouraging for us.”
IndyCar lacking “buzz” around racing – Rossi
Alexander Rossi says IndyCar would benefit from creating more “buzz” around itself.
Speaking ahead of yesterday’s Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber, Rossi praised the quality of racing in IndyCar but said the series needs to create greater excitement around itself away from the track.
“I think we all have to remember we are an entertainment property, ultimately,” said Rossi. “That is what we are. That’s why we always talk about the show. That’s why we’re always interested in improving that with car updates. It’s talks and conversations we always have. I think IndyCar is aware of that.
“I think the on-track product is not necessarily the issue, right? It’s creating that buzz…