Ocon “very impressed by the new race director” in Miami

While the management of departures in rainy conditions is always delicate in Formula 1, and sometimes subject to many criticisms, the attitude adopted by the race management for the sprint of the Miami Grand Prix pleased the pilots.

After the showers that watered the track around the hard rock Stadium, the starting procedure was launched behind the safety car in order to gauge the conditions more specifically, in particular visibility. This is what then made it possible to estimate that it was too dangerous to release the peloton, thanks to the direct returns of the pilots in their radio, and to brandish the red flag.

It was ultimately a big half hour later that the sprint started, after two new recognition laps, but with a stopped departure that could have been preserved. And despite a few rounds less, the show was there.

For Esteban Ocon, the FIA ​​approach was the right one, especially since it was the first time that it was necessary to manage rainy conditions on the very recent Miami circuit, without decline or experience in the matter since its appearance on the calendar in 2022. The Frenchman says he is also very satisfied with the way in which Rui Marques, the new F1 race director since the ouster of Niels Wittich at the end of the last season.

“Frankly, they have really managed”underlines the pilot Haas. “I was very impressed by the new race director. Because I saw nothing, obviously. And they immediately made the decision, even if the level of grip was good.”

“It was a little strange with the glare of the sun, and this humidity which remains in suspension in the air. We all had problems with our tear-offs too, with a little water that infiltrated it. It was very strange to have such a low visibility. Then, the race was relaunched and it was safer, because it was drier. But that was what had to do. Otherwise, it would not have been prudent.”

Pierre Gasly shares this feeling, specifying that the track in itself was practicable but that visibility was indeed the critical point to assess, which could not be done without sending the peloton on track to measure the consequences with numerous and close single-seats.

“I think the conditions were good”explains the Alpine pilot, “But that is what I was talking about earlier with the FIA: from the point of view of the conditions, it was fine, but once in the peloton, we simply see nothing. If someone finds himself stopped for any reason, there is no chance of being able to react.”

“I think it is above all a visibility problem, that we hope to be able to improve in the future”he concludes.