Shane van Gisbergen, driver of Trackhouse Racing, has shared his thoughts on the new street circuit of San Diego, described as one of the most complicated he has competed on. Even though some consider him a favorite to win, he prefers not to feel pressured by expectations. In his words, “I don’t feel comfortable with that label, as there is a lot of competition and anyone can succeed with their strategy.”
The Qualcomm circuit at the naval base of Coronado features a 3.4-mile layout with uneven surfaces and drastic elevation changes. Van Gisbergen mentioned that, despite the difficulties, he has competed on more challenging tracks. “There are corners that remind me of Homebush and Sebring, but overall, this circuit is reasonably flat compared to others.”
The New Zealand driver has identified several problematic points on the circuit, such as the exit of the last corner, where he observed that many drivers could face difficulties. “There are not many opportunities to make a perfect lap here, as each of the 16 corners presents a challenge.” He even expressed concern about the design of the pit entry, which is too close to the competition line.
During the Friday sessions, Van Gisbergen managed to stay among the fastest, occupying the eighth position on the speed chart. Expectations remain high as drivers prepare for an exciting weekend at one of the most unique circuits in the championship.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_f370ee7fd8e96fc7be83a8904bcf3b974a864ca4