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 despite being a Tilke-influenced circuit as it features “a little bit of everything” according to many drivers.
McLaren Honda go into the weekend relatively optimistic in relation to their results so far this season. Alonso will be running a new Honda
ICE
which he briefly fitted (and took the grid penalty for) in Sochi. The new engine is said to make +20 horsepower over the current spec. with more optimization from mapping yet to come. The engine is rumored to also be available to Button this weekend but it remains unclear whether the team will want him to take a grid spot penalty at a race so important to the team and its sponsors. Both cars are also said to be running updated aero packages.
Elsewhere on the grid there is no reason to believe that Mercedes won’t continue its winning ways with a chance that Lewis Hamilton could clinch his third
WDC
title at
COTA
. The wildcard, however, is Red Bull as they decide whether to run Renault’s upgraded Power Unit which will be available for the first time this weekend. Renault used 11 of its 12 development tokens on this comprehensive update as they prepare for a “works” effort in 2016 and as Red Bull is still without an engine supplier for 2016.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice: Friday October 23rd, 11:00AM
EST
,
NBCSN
Qualifying: Saturday October 24th, 12:30PM
EST
,
NBCSN
Race: Sunday October 25th, 2:30PM
EST
,
NBC
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*: 1’39.347 (199.773 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2012
Fastest lap: 1’35.657 (207.479 kph) by Sebastian Vettel, 2012
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)
2014 prime tyre: Medium (2013: Hard)
2014 option tyre: Soft (2013: Medium)
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2014 (V6
TURBO
ERA
) RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
Race laps: 56
Fast race lap: Sebastian Vettel – Red Bull-Renault, 1:41.379
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes
2. Nico Rosberg – Mercedes
3. Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull-Renault
CURRENT
STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, 302
2. Sebastian Vettel, 236
3. Nico Rosberg, 229
Constructors
1. Mercedes
AMG
Petronas, 531
2. Scuderia Ferrari, 359
3. Williams Martini Racing, 220
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