Track Length: 1.7 miles (2.7 km)
Number of Turns: 9
Circuit Type: Temporary Street Course
Notable Straight: Jefferson Avenue
Direction: Clockwise
Surface: Bumpy concrete and asphalt
First Year of Current Layout: 2023
Race Distance: 100 laps (approx. 170 miles)
The Detroit Grand Prix circuit is tight, bumpy, and unforgiving—a true test of car control and concentration. Turn 1 is a high-commitment right-hander off the long Jefferson Avenue straight, often a hotspot for dive-bomb overtakes. The hairpin section demands strong traction on exit, while the tight radius of Turn 3 punishes over-driving. With limited grip and concrete walls lining the circuit, there’s little margin for error. Setup leans toward maximizing mechanical grip and ride compliance over kerbs and rough surfaces. Drivers must stay alert throughout the lap—mistakes are rarely small here.
Once home to Formula 1 in the 1980s and CART in the 1990s, the Detroit Grand Prix now anchors IndyCar’s return to downtown Detroit after a long stint at Belle Isle. The current layout, introduced in 2023, is shorter and more streamlined, designed to bring the action closer to fans and the city’s business district. It trades some of the original’s complexity for improved accessibility and fan engagement, while still maintaining the challenge of a classic street race. With over 50 years of racing history, Detroit is a cornerstone of American urban racing, known for gritty battles, legends like Ayrton Senna, and its role in motorsport’s evolution in the U.S.
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