In the round-up: The United States Grand Prix prompted some drivers and commentators to urge the Circuit of the Americas to install more gravel traps, but Max Verstappen isn’t convinced that would be the best solution.
In brief
Gravel traps may not be right for Austin – Verstappen
Oscar Piastri, who was one of five drivers to receive penalties for infringements related to track limits last weekend, urged the Austin track operators to change the run-offs to reduce the number of controversial incidents which occur, as other venues have done successfully. “The easiest bit would be just put gravel there and no one’s going to go off,” he said.
However Verstappen doubts that would be a practical solution for the track which also hosts a round of the Moto GP world championship. “It might help, but we have to deal with bikes as well that race here,” he said. “They don’t like the gravel, so then you have to remove it again,” he added, referring to the solution used at the Red Bull Ring.
Verstappen also pointed out amateur drivers who use the circuit may not want gravel traps. “People spinning off, of course, on track days, you have amateur drivers, professional drivers. It does cost a lot of money when you have to do that, and not every track can do that throughout the year.
“Yes, it would work, but on the other hand, I’m not sure how sustainable that is for the season.”
Macau Grand Prix entry list announced
The Macau Grand Prix promoters have published the entry list for this year’s edition of the race, the first time it will be run to Formula Regional European regulations.
Ferrari Driver Academy member Dino Beganovic will be the highest-ranked driver from this year’s FIA Formula 3 championship on the grid. His fellow FDA members Tuukka Taponen and James Wharton, who both debuted in F3 late this year, will also participate. No place has been announced for Ferrari-backed Formula Regional European champion Rafael Camara, though two seats are yet to be filled.
Red Bull Junior Team members Oliver Goethe, who took the Formula 2 seat vacated by Franco Colapinto earlier this year, and Enzo Deligny have also entered. McLaren juniors Alex Dunne and Ugo Ugochukwu are also among the confirmed drivers.
Other notable names on the list include Rintaro Sato, son of ex-Formula 1 driver and two-times Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato, and this year’s Italian and UAE Formula 4 champion James Wharton.
Zagazeta moves to DAMS in F3
FIA Formula 3 newcomers DAMS have confirmed Mathias Zagazeta as their first driver for the 2025 season. Zagazeta scored a single win during his rookie season, in the partially-reversed grid sprint race at Silverstone.
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