This weekend, Circuit of the Americas ( COTA ) in Austin, Texas hosts Formula 1 as the series makes its sole United States appearance. COTA has become a driver’s favorite as its design borrows elements from the world’s best circuits and puts them together in the Austin countryside. COTA is also one of four circuits on the F1 calendar that are run counterclockwise.
Toro Rosso go into the weekend with optimism despite a lackluster finish in Japan as their new Honda engine is showing solid performance with more optimization still to come. The team is scheduled to debut long-awaited aero updates which include a new front wing and floor. If the aero updates work and the team gets the strategy right, we could see both cars in the points, otherwise one should be the expectation.
Elsewhere on the grid, if Ferrari’s outright poor luck continues, there is a chance Lewis Hamilton could clinch the WDC title this weekend. More likely, we will see Ferrari re-group and return to the front row of the grid. Red Bull will attempt to split the front runners for the final spot on the podium but that will also take some luck considering their Renault engine. Making up the best of the rest should be a Haas as they look to impress at their home race. Fighting with Haas will be a Force India and one of the Saubers, namely Leclerc. Renault will be trying to usurp one of the previously mentioned cars but will struggle due to their lack of development in the second half of the season. McLaren will be running toward the back of the midfield without any extra luck. Williams will round out the order.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, Oct. 19, 10:55 AM –
ESPNEWS
Practice 2 – Friday, Oct. 19, 2:55 PM – ESPN3
Practice 3 – Saturday, Oct. 20, 1:55 PM –
ESPNEWS
Qualifying – Saturday, Oct. 20, 4:55 PM –
ESPNEWS
Race – Sunday, Oct. 21, 1:30 PM –
ABC
Encore – Sunday, Oct. 21, 7:30 PM – ESPN2
Encore – Monday, Oct. 22, 12:30 AM –
ESPNEWS
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 5.513km (3.426 miles)
Race laps: 56
Race distance: 308.728km (191.835 miles)
Pole position: Right-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’37.766 by Sebastian Vettel, 2017
Fastest lap: 1’33.108 by Lewis Hamilton, 2017
Maximum speed: 314kph (195.11 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight and longest straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 280m
Car performance
Full throttle: 49%
Longest flat-out section: 1090m
Downforce level: Medium
Gear changes per lap: 54
Fuel use per lap: 1.8kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.072s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 23.537s by Red Bull (see full list)
2018 tyres: Soft, Supersoft, Ultrasoft
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2017 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Lewis Hamilton, 1:33.108
Race laps: 56
Fast race lap: Sebastian Vettel, 1:37.766
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel – Ferrari
3. Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 331
2. Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia Ferrari, 264
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 207
4. Kimi Raikkonen, Scuderia Ferrari, 196
5. Max Verstappen, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 173
6. Daniel Ricciardo, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 146
7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault Sport F1, 53
8. Sergio Perez, Force India, 53
9. Romain Grosjean, Haas, 53
10. Kevin Magnussen, Haas, 53
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 538
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 460
3. Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, 319
4. Renault Sport F1, 92
5. Haas, 84
6. McLaren Renault, 58
7. Racing Point Force India, 43
8. Toro Rosso, 30
9. Alfa Romeo Sauber, 27
10. Williams Martini Racing, 7
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