A machine which was being used to clean the Miami International Autodrome track damaged its surface in two places.
The track was patched at turns seven and 17 before F1’s practice sessions began at the track on Friday. Further repair work was performed at the turn 17 hairpin ahead of final practice yesterday.
“Unfortunately, ironically, the cleaning machine that was used to clean the track spilled a load of hydraulic fluid onto the surface and that damaged the bitumen,” Formula 1 motorsport director Ross Brawn told the official F1 channel.
“It only happened in two areas so it’s a very specific problem that I think we’re on top of.”
Pirelli motorsport director Mario Isola said the race promoters had used a water jet to clean the circuit as had been done at Istanbul and Singapore in previous years.
“On this circuit they made the usual treatment with a high-pressure water jet,” he said. “Basically it’s going to remove the bitumen on top and expose this stones. With this treatment, you increase the level of grip.”
However the difference in grip levels on and off-line around the entire circuit remains a cause for concern among many drivers.
“On the racing line it’s not bad grip, it’s reasonable-ish. It’s just very hot, which makes it feel even worse,” said Lando Norris. “The fact is just that off-line it’s just really, really terrible.”
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Carlos Sainz Jnr hopes the lack of grip will not prevent drivers being able to pass during today’s race.
“I think overtaking is possible with all these three long straights,” he said, “but at the same time, all drivers complained about the lack of grip that there is off-line.
“So if you’re going to make a pass, you need to make it stick fairly early into the braking. If not, I struggle to see ourselves doing any late moves or lunges from far behind, because there’s very little grip….