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.
The Red Bull teams enter the weekend with cautious optimism. In Mexico the RB15 had pace and, were it not for incidents early in the race, it could’ve contended for a podium there. A win will be tough at COTA but a podium could certainly be in the cards. Toro Rosso has the possibility of a double points finish as their package has been consistent throughout the season.
Elsewhere on the grid, barring extraordinary circumstances Lewis Hamilton should clinch the WDC title this weekend. Expect Ferrari to mount a strong challenge; they have the speed but can they execute?. We can expect best of the rest honors to go to a McLaren as their chassis has been working very well of late. Expect a Renault and a Racing Point to be battling just behind McLaren. From there we can expect the Alfa Romeo cars to be duking it out, possibly for the final points-paying position. Haas will try to make the best of their flawed 2019 car but will struggle to be in contention for points. Williams, who have made some development progress, will round out the order not too far behind a Haas.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Friday, November 1 – 11.55AM –
ESPNU
Practice 2 – Friday, November 1 – 3.55PM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, November 2 – 1.55PM –
ESPNEWS
Qualifying – Saturday, November 2 – 4.55AM –
ESPNEWS
Pit Lane Live – Sunday, November 3 – 12.30PM – ESPN3
Race (+On the Grid) – Sunday, November 3 – 1.30PM –
ABC
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*: 1’37.392 by Lewis Hamilton, 2018
Fastest lap: 1’32.237 by Lewis Hamilton, 2018
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)
2019 tyres: Hard (C2), Medium (C3), Soft (C4) (2018: Soft, Supersoft, Ultrasoft)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2018 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Lewis Hamilton, 1:32.237
Race laps: 56
Fast race lap: Lewis Hamilton, 1:37.392
Podium
1. Kimi Raikkonen – Ferrari
2. Max Verstappen – Red Bull
3. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 363
2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 289
3. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 236
4. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 230
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 220
6. Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso, 77
7. Carlos Sainz, McLaren, 76
8. Alex Albon, Red Bull, 74
9. Sergio Perez, Racing Point, 43
10. Daniel Ricciardo, Renault, 38
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 652
2. Ferrari, 466
3. Red Bull, 341
4. McLaren, 111
5. Renault, 73
6. Toro Rosso, 64
7. Racing Point, 64
8. Alfa Romeo Racing, 35
9. Haas, 28
10. Williams, 1
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