This weekend Formula 1 returns to the USA for the United States Grand Prix. Held at the Circuit of the Americas, or CoTA, in Austin, Texas, the first purpose-built track in the US for Formula One. While their contract with Formula One officially ends this year, contract talks are still ongoing, and Austin is marked as an expected stop on the 2022 calendar.
Track Breakdown:
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.513 km
Race Distance: 308.405
The 2012 USGP held at the Circuit of the Americas marked the return of Formula One to the U.S. since its departure from Indianapolis in 2007. The track's design was intended to be an amalgamation of the most iconic pieces of Formula One tracks in the hope of making one most challenging track. Built to conform with the geographical landscape, the circuit experiences many elevation changes, notably a near-blind entrance into Turn 1.
Because of the pandemic, Austin missed out on Formula One last year. CoTA took this time off to resurface ~40% of the track, known for its bumpy surface. Practice will likely consist of teams testing various strategies on how to balance tyre maintenance on the resurfaced track with the older sections. As there is so much opportunity for overtaking, qualifying positions will not be the be all and end all this weekend.
The circuit's width provides plenty of opportunity for overtaking. The most popular overtaking spots will be near Turn 12 and Turn 1 after the two DRS zones. Turns 16 to 18 were modelled after Istanbul's Turn 8, a multi-apex corner challenge for drivers. Turn 19 tends to be a common area of lap limits, punishable by lap deletions in qualifying or in race warnings. This circuits multiple race lines and turn sectors will test the drivers' braking choices.
Fast 5s:
2019: Bottas, Hamilton, Verstappen, Leclerc*, Albon
2018: Räikkönen, Verstappen, Hamilton, Vettel, Bottas
*Set fastest lap time for the circuit with a time of 1:36.169
Fun Facts:
Lewis Hamilton has the most USGP wins, having won in 2007, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017
Only four drivers have ever won at Austin: Hamilton, Vettel, Räikkönen, and Bottas
The circuit also holds IndyCar, MotoGP, and NASCAR races
The United States Grand Prix has been held at six different circuits across the country
In 2015, only 12 cars finished the race
Technical Talk:
As another counterclockwise circuit with high G forces, the drivers will be managing an irregular strain on their necks. While the slower corners make this a medium to high downforce set up that are favourable to cars like Red Bull and AlphaTauri, its high-speed straights are what makes this a "Mercedes" Track. Power through these straights is important for constructors' success at CoTA, which should favour Mercedes and Ferrari with their recent power unit upgrades. Tyre and fuel strategies are important at this track, as it is known for high fuel consumption. The track has been resurfaced in certain sections, but MotoGP's recent race showed that the circuit's surface is still high on tyre degradation in other sectors.
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