`BIC`s long pit-lane pushes teams for fewer stops`

New Delhi: Williams chief race engineer Xevi Pujolar Tuesday said the Buddh International Circuit`s (BIC) long pit-lane pushes teams to opt for fewer stops during the race.

"The Indian Grand Prix features one of the longest pit lanes in F1 and this contributes to a higher than average pit loss which pushes strategies towards fewer stops," said Pujolar. The Williams engineer also compared the BIC to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium because of the flowing nature of the circuit. "With fast, free-flowing and undulating characteristics the track has drawn comparisons to Spa-Francorchamps with the track rising by 14 metres within the first three corners. The track has a mixture of fast and slow corners making it challenging for the drivers, with the multi-apex sequence of Turns 10, 11 and 12 likened to Turn 8 at the Istanbul Park Circuit in Turkey." Williams driver Pastor Maldonado said drivers enjoy the BIC because of its layout and he will miss the race not being on the calendar in 2014. "All the drivers seem to enjoy the Indian circuit due to its fantastic design and high speeds and I will miss it not being on the calendar next year. I particularly like the 180-degree right hander which is taken very fast and seems to go on forever. Of the new generation of circuits this is one of the best with its good variety, combining fast chicanes, slow corners, and corners that require a big KERS input," said Maldonado, who has only managed to score a single point the entire year.