Lewis Hamilton criticizes modern F1 tarmac run-off areas

Lewis Hamilton has expressed his personal dislike for the increasing use of tarmac run-off areas in modern Formula 1 circuit design. Speaking during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, the Ferrari driver noted that he misses the era of traditional grass and gravel run-offs, which he views as less risk-averse than current asphalt surfaces.

While tarmac allows drivers to rejoin the track without damaging their vehicles, Hamilton suggested that the shift away from more punishing surfaces changes the nature of the sport. The trend is evident at venues like the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, where tarmac is used to accommodate various racing series and reduce reconfiguration costs.

Addressing the physical demands of the sport, Hamilton identified his debut year and the 2020 season as the most challenging periods of his career. He attributed the difficulty of 2020 to the high levels of downforce and the extreme speed of the cars at that time.