It’s been seven years since the SBMRL went to India to race Buddh International Circuit, but that’s exactly where we’re headed this February. Originally hosting its first Grand Prix in 2011, Formula 1 raced there for only three seasons before tax disputes caused them to end. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel won all three races. This year’s SBMRL race will be the third time we’ve visited, albeit spread out across a number of years.
Buddh’s pit straight is one of the shortest you’ll typically see. The starting line is set back just enough to push the back of the grid right up to the exit of the final corner. At the front, the ideal spot may actually be the second row rather than the first due to the sharp right hander that is Turn 1.
Coming out of Turn 2 with speed for the long straight is extremely helpful. Expect a bit more speed through here on lap 2 from those who don’t pit. On lap 1 the field will largely still be building up to their top gears.
Turn 3 will see a lot of braking and tire abuse, as it’s a terrible place to get things wrong. The lead into Turn 4 requires a good run in the previous corner, and it’s much better to downshift agressively at the latter of the two corners.
The second sector isn’t too complicated, with Turn 5 keeping speeds down but otherwise unlikely to cause anyone much trouble. Turn 6 is equally forgiving. The only thing there is that while it may not be a challenging corner, there are chances for passing through it that drivers will be looking to take advantage of.
The final sector is deceptive in its simplicity, its opportunity for high speeds, and its potential for gut wrenching mistakes. It’s really all about rhythm, and those who get it right will be a big advantage. Just don’t overshoot the final corner if you need to enter the pits, as the entrance to pit lane comes immediately out of the final bend.
Starting Grid
As always, the starting grid for Road Atlanta will be the reverse order of the driver standings. A number of ties in the standings were broken in Argentina, so no need for any tie breakers this time out:
- Mai “Cashew” Maghur (FP)*
- Felix (SM)~
- Parker Lacroix (SB)~
- Max (SM)
- Ramen Acuna Jr (MnS)*
- Liu S. Amil X (FP)
- Magnus Rasksen (SB)
- Orzo Albies (MnS)
- Stoot van Vaart (RM)
- Pieter Pieperpoes (RM)
Pit selection will be in order of team standings.
- Regency Motors
- Mac ‘N Speed
- Scandinavian Blitz
- Fir Splays+
- Switch Motorsports+
* Buddh is the home race for Mai and Ramen. As such, each driver will have a slight advantage in car setup.
~ Parker lines up behind Felix due to the tie breaker of reverse of last race finish.
+ Fir Splays selects pit ahead of Swith Motorsports due to having a lower average grid position.
Race Outlook
Parker’s last second victory in Atlanta didn’t move him that much higher in the standings, although he is certainly in a much more competitive position now. Will the tie breaker pushing him down a grid slot actually work in his favor given the track layout? Another victory could see him as high as the top 3 in the standings now.
With Felix on the front row and Max behind him, Switch Motorsports will be looking to cash in on those positions and have a strong team showing. The driver with the most to prove is perhaps Magnus, who’s Atlanta race was disastrous but still leaves him 4th in the standings.
Aside from Switch Motorsports, Fir Splays will be hoping for big things from pole sitter Mai. If Liu can make a few passes from 6th on the grid, they’ve got a good shot at moving up the standings, too. Everyone is still chasing Regency Motors, with Mac ‘N Speed still a full race worth of points behind. The orange liveried cars didn’t fare too well in Atlanta, and if that continues in Buddh things will start to get rather intriguing at the top.