The new downtown Detroit street course for IndyCar’s race this weekend has many unique features, but the most unique is the split pit lane.
Drivers will be pitting on the left and the right of the short pit area, and will funnel down to a single file before re-entering the track near the braking zone for Turn 1.
In Friday’s driver meeting, the rules around the pit speed were discussed. They were told that the 40 MPH pit speed limit will extend all the way through the funnel section until they join the racing surface again.
Most drivers were in favor of this, but Santino Ferrucci spoke up to say that they should be free to race from the end of the final pit box. Essentially allowing the drivers to fight for the order as they filter down into a single file for the pit exit.
Ferrucci was not very pleased with his fellow drivers, and told MotorsportWeek.com that he feels embarrassed that everyone else seemingly agreed with the slower merge speed.
“It’s very interesting to see the drivers complain. We just did our driver’s meeting, and common sense is definitely nonexistent.
“[Race control] moved the pit limiter off, like 400 feet down pit road to make pit road more than double. Now we have to go 40 MPH for so long.
“Apparently I was the only driver in favor of actually being a racecar driver. Other than that, the place looks great. Safety has done a great job. Tires are awesome. It looks like they’ve done a hell of a job.
“My biggest issue is what they did with the pit limiter. We’re grown-ups. I think we could figure that out. I think it’s embarrassing that all the drivers, except for myself, wanted that.
“Basically now, you’re coming onto the track at 40 MPH, and everybody is going to be going into the brake zone at 150.
“I suggested a dual stage [pit limiter] at the minimum. I think that’s something that’s pretty easy to change. I think that’d be smart, and a happy compromise. But we’ll see what happens.”
Though Ferrucci’s biggest argument was that they should be able to jockey for position in the funnel portion of pit lane, his point about the relative speed difference to cars already on track is likely what will convince an amendment to the rules if any are made.
The pit road blend zone is on the outside of the entrance to Turn 1, and drivers at full speed will be wanting to shift as far into that lane as possible. If there are exceedingly slow cars in that lane, there could be some close calls on Sunday.
The extended time at pit road speed also means that drivers will lose more time when pitting during the race, although the double-sided pit road is shorter than any other on the calendar and will produce a short pit delta regardless.
Race control has the option to amend rules such as the ones discussed by Ferrucci before the race on Sunday, so it’s possible one of his suggestions will indeed be implemented in the next couple days.
