Renault drivers praise return to old Buenos Aires circuit layout

The Super TC 2000 has returned to using the long no. 15 layout of the Buenos Aires circuit, a move praised by Renault Sport drivers Facundo Ardusso and Emiliano Spataro.

The layout was last used when the circuit hosted Formula 1 between 1974 and 1981.

“This layout is beautiful, there are many zones in which you have to stay calm, since there are very fast turns and some slow ones. You must keep cool when accelerating in some parts,” said Ardusso, who topped Saturday’s first practice session, to TouringCarTimes.

The layout features three very long straights joined by a fast right-left sweeping and the Salotto turn, a very long right hander which is nearly taken flat out. The second part of the track brings the twisty sections of Ascari, Mixtos and Senna’s S turns.

“It’s necessary to balance the setup to have no weaknesses in any zone of the track. If the race goes ahead in dry conditions, some teams could try to take the risk and look after good speed on the straights, considering they’re the main overtaking points,” added team-mate Spataro.

Spartaro highlighted his team’s work to repair his factory Fluence, which suffered severe damage following his co-driver Christian Ledesma’s accident during Friday practice.

“They did an incredible job to put the car back in track this morning,” said Spataro. “I know these guys since I was racing in South American Formula 3, after 25 years they have the same spirit. They worked overnight to repair the car, had no dinner, sleep or breakfast today and they’re still smiling and working on the setup.”