“Disaster” COTA surface still a point of concern for MotoGP riders

MotoGP riders have raised numerous concerns about the COTA asphalt for a number of years, with various partial resurfacing jobs taking place in the wake of such criticisms.

ANALYSIS: Why is COTA’s asphalt notoriously bad?

After the surface was labelled “a joke” by 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo two years ago, and Formula 1 raised its own concerns, the asphalt was renewed at Turn 2, Turn 10, and Turns 12-16 in January of 2022.

Complaints were minimal during last year’s MotoGP visit, but following Friday’s practice for the 2023 Americas GP several leading riders voiced further concerns.

“We have four asphalts on this track,” reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia noted.

“In dry, you can handle it quite well. In the wet it’s more difficult because already in the dry in Turn 1 where they scraped the track you feel that the front is locking.

“So, on wet this kind of thing is even higher. We will try to let them understand this, because Turn 11 the asphalt is destroyed, Turn 12 the asphalt is destroyed.

“Like I said, four asphalts in one track is not normal. For me, yes [it’s worse than last year] because we are incredible fast, we are already at the [lap] record.

“In terms of safety and the cleaning of the track, it’s improved compared to last year.

“But when you brake for Turn 1 you feel the rear is pushing you high, then you block the front, then you have to stop the bike.

“Same thing in Turn 11, Turn 12, when you enter the penultimate corner the bike starts to move a lot because the track has been scraped there. So, for me, yes, it’s worse.”

Several riders stated that grip was worse where asphalt scraping had been carried out by the circuit, though in some areas it appeared as if the track was breaking apart.

“In some points, like Turns 11, 12, 15 and 20, if you go walking the asphalt is cracking,” Alex Marquez said.

“It’s not from scraping, it’s like the asphalt is going out and when you go there there’s a lot of spin.

“That point is where it’s a bit strange. There’s a big bump in Turn 3, it’s like a big step from the kerb to the asphalt and it’s something that if you hit you will crash.

“It’s a situation that’s dangerous because you can’t control it.”

Across Friday’s two practice sessions, there were five crashes at the Turn 12 hairpin – the hardest braking zone on the circuit.

“Turn 12…