VOLUME 59 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 25, 2022 P51
COTA Track Resurfacing Underway
F
ollowing a deluge of criticism
from both MotoGP and For-
mula One protagonists as to the
state of the tarmac, Circuit of The
Americas has begun resurfac-
ing work on Turn 2, Turn 10 and
Turns 12-16.
The 2021 MotoGP event came
under so much fire from the rid-
ers as to the bumps on the track
surface that Aprilia's Aleix Espar-
garo went as far as labeling the
track "unrideable," while World
Champion Fabio Quartararo said
the facility was "a joke."
"COTA hired consultants to
review asphalt designs and
diagnose the parts of the track in
need of resurfacing," said a state-
ment from the facility. Ground
penetration radar and laser map-
ping equipment and software was
used to map the track and iden-
tify the different repairs needed.
"From there, COTA worked to
repave Turns 12 through 16 and
build a concrete pad to reinforce
the areas at Turns 2 and 10.
Additionally, COTA worked with
contractors to ensure the new
asphalt and concrete foundations
were even and flush, creating an
ideal track for upcoming races
and events."
CN
The Circuit of The Americas is getting a much-needed facelift.
Better Tire
Management Key To
Miller's Title Challenge
Ducati Corse Sporting Direc-
tor Paolo Ciabatti has highlighted
tire management and conser-
vation as the crucial area Jack
Miller needs to address to make
a sustained attack for the 2022
MotoGP World Championship.
Miller, who is currently in
Australia recovering from Co-
vid-19, enjoyed his best season
since joining the MotoGP class
in 2022, taking two wins and
finishing fourth in the standings
behind Yamaha's Fabio
Quartararo, but must
change his riding style
to conserve the tires for
a challenge at the end
of the race.
"His talent is there,"
said Ciabatti. "Nobody has any
doubts about Jack's talent. He's
probably one of the fastest rid-
ers. In certain conditions, he's
also probably the best or one of
the best—when it's wet or partly
wet. But sometimes his riding
style is not helping him to save
the tire for the second part of the
race and I think this is one of the
areas where we need to help him
to improve."
CN
Jack Miller's tire
conservation needs
improving for 2022,
according to his
Ducati team boss
Paulo Ciabatti.
