F1 2024: US GP - Austin (Oct 20)

[GuidoK]

F1 2024: US GP - Austin (Oct 20)

Schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2024/united-states
This is a GP weekend with a sprint race

Circuit:
Circuit of The Americas

Austin
When was the track built?

The Circuit of The Americas, designed by Hermann Tilke in collaboration with American architectural firm HKS, endured something of a nervy start, with construction suffering several setbacks. It was well worth the wait, though, when 1978 F1 champion Mario andretti opened the track on October 21 2012.
When was its first Grand Prix?

F1 first raced at the Circuit of The Americas in 2012, for the first United States Grand Prix since the 2007 race at Indianapolis. Unsurprisingly, over 100,000 spectators packed out the Austin venue, witnessing Lewis Hamilton’s last ever win in a McLaren before his switch to Mercedes for 2013.
What’s the circuit like?

If the corners at COTA seem familiar, they should be. Turns 3 through 6 look not dissimilar to Silverstone's high-speed run through Maggotts/Becketts or the S Curves at Suzuka, while Turns 12 through 15 mimic Hockenheim's stadium section. Meanwhile, the uphill run into wide, wide Turn 1 – hey, everything’s bigger in Texas, right? – has provided some fine overtaking action in the track’s short life.
Why go?

There’s a reason Austin is often regarded as America’s coolest city, with great food and a vibrant nightlife, all united under the banner of the city’s unofficial slogan: ‘Keep Austin Weird’. Then when racing starts, you’ll be in attendance at one of the great modern race tracks. With the Americans’ attitude to partying, you won’t want to miss out!
Where is the best place to watch?

You’re spoilt for choice. If you sit in the main grandstand on the start-finish straight you’ll get – in true US style – the benefit of an in-seat food and drinks service, while those in the stand at Turn 1 enjoy a view all the way to downtown Austin. But if you want to see the racing action up close, find a way into the the Stadium Section stands at Turns 15/16.

2023 race highlights:

2023 Thread:
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2054732

[GuidoK]

So what are your predictions?

I think the track recieved a new top layer, making it less bumpy than previous years. That might favour the RB cars a bit more, their car is not so good on bumps.
However, I expect McLaren to have the strongest car again, by far, both in the sprint race as in the main race.

My prediction (main race):

1. NOR
2. PIA
3. VER
4. LEC
5. HAM
6. RUS
7. SAI
8. PER
9. ALO
10. ALB

[3798j]

“The drivers and riders will feel like it’s a totally different track. We know the repave was overdue and, while it will lose some “character,” the new surface will make for some incredible speeds and provide a much more comfortable experience. The new pavement just looks good, too!” – COTA Chairman, Bobby Epstein.

https://www.roadracingworld.com/news...20and%20MotoGP.

[M5Rick]

Sunday Race.
1. MAX
2. PIA
3. LEC
4. RUS
5. HAM
6. SAI
LAN will DNF.
PER who knows.
Sprint could be anybodies.

[wizardofOz]

1. Norris
2. Piastri
3. Max

I'll eat my tv controller if it doesn't happen

[dfox]

FWIW, the race is on the 19th... not 22nd.

for the full race...
Norris win.
Max/Leclerc tossup for 2nd and 3rd.
Per
Sai
Ham
Pia
Rus
Hulk

Sprint is going to be a huge tossup. I kinda see Pia maybe taking that one.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by dfox

FWIW, the race is on the 19th... not 22nd.

oops, I made a typo.
But sunday it's the 20th, not the 19th.

Artemis , can you change the date in the topic title to 20th?

[3798j]

.

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

1. Norris
2. Piastri
3. Max

I'll eat my tv controller if it doesn't happen

We will remember that!!!! Hope you have strong teeth

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

We will remember that!!!! Hope you have strong teeth

Your challenge has been accepted KBD

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

Your challenge has been accepted KBD

I love onesided bets

[HeelToeShift]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Sunday Race.
1. MAX
2. PIA
3. LEC
4. RUS
5. HAM
6. SAI
LAN will DNF.
PER who knows.
Sprint could be anybodies.

RB bringing flexi wings and I hope they flex so much Zak Brown has a conniption followed by the FIA doing absolutely nothing about it.

Also thinking 2 DNFs for Nor in the last 6 races and 1 for Pia - I think they’ll take each other out in one.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by HeelToeShift

RB bringing flexi wings and I hope they flex so much Zak Brown has a conniption followed by the FIA doing absolutely nothing about it.

Also thinking 2 DNFs for Nor in the last 6 races and 1 for Pia - I think they’ll take each other out in one.

Sounds good to me and the works at Milton Keynes have plenty of time to formulate an answer to the McLaren wings which to all intents and purpose are unsportingly constructed to the rest of the grid.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

1. Norris
2. Piastri
3. Max

I'll eat my tv controller if it doesn't happen

Take the batteries out first

[MoeTE87]

This race falls on my birthday! Wish I was going!

Hoping for a Verstappen win, but probably not..

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

I love onesided bets

Well I don't know about you, I'm double downing on it, I like my odds

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Take the batteries out first

And call the accident department in preparation eh

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

Well I don't know about you, I'm double downing on it, I like my odds

So ur gonna eat a tide pod too

How bout the cinnamon challenge

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

So ur gonna eat a tide pod too

How bout the cinnamon challenge

Maaaaaybe...

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

And call the accident department in preparation eh

A&E are on standby.

[lens]

Why does everyone think NOR will win?

This isn't a street circuit or a short track, this track actually favours Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull (with their new upgrades)

There are passing zones here where DRS is strong, and RBR seems to have found their issue (frankenfloor worked, flexi wing and new floor revision is coming) and Ferrari is right behind.

Norris has only won like 2 races out of the last 6, one in dutch gp and Singapore gp, Dutch gp being a short track with little to no passing, and same with Singapore.

[dfox]

McLaren was really strong at the Italian GP, which is a very fast track. Obviously Leclerc won, but Nor Pia 2-3. Even with DRS, leclerc couldn't get around piastri in baku.