United States Grand Prix Preview

After so many races this season, it has finally come down to the event that everybody enjoys.

Despite it is only in its second year of existence, the Grand Prix of the United Sates returns this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, with a hope that it will be just as exiting with its charm that it is known for.

However, even if Sebastian Vettel has already sewn up the world drivers’ championship and his Red Bull Renault team locked up the constructor’s title at the last race in Abu Dhabi, there is plenty still to fight for as Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton can still challenge for the top three. Kimi Raikkonen was also a contender for the best of the rest, but will be out for the remainder of the season, citing back surgery. At this time, Lotus still does not know who will replace the Finn, but will have to make a decision within the next few days.

The circuit itself is designed by the legendary Herman Tilke and features an uphill climb right after the start/finish line before taking a quick left handed turn. Turns two thru four reminds fans of something that resembles the esses turns at Silverstone in England and Suzuka in Japan. As the drivers continue on, the next main point of the circuit is at turns 11 and 12, which has a huge long straight which is comparable to Abu Dhabi and Korea. The track itself is just over three miles in length per lap, but the main point is because the weather in last season’s inaugural event was cool, the fuel consumption will go quicker, so the drivers might have to watch what happens this time around if the weather changes.

Vettel himself has dominated the last seven races, and since he finished last season in second here to Hamilton, he could be a factor in increasing his streak to eight wins in a row. But if there are weather changes and more determined drivers out to challenge him, it could be something special for the fans.

Mark Gero

Mark Gero has written formula one racing stories since 2002 on the Internet for such sites as Motorsport.com, Racing Information Service News and for a brief time at the Munich Eye newspaper in Munich, Germany along with Autoweek online. Mark also has a diploma in journalism from the London School of Journalism in London, England and in addition a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa.

racingnation.com

Related Posts

• 
  Motorsports Minute: Marcus Ericsson
• 
  Motorsports Minute: Clint Bowyer
• 
  Can You Hear The Drums, Fernando?