United States – Presentation: Game, set, and almost match for Hamilton

« I really like the circuit and of all the modern circuits built in recent years, it is remarkable. The layout is striking with nice combinations of corners that flow well. The first sector reminds me a lot of Silverstone because it’s fast and smooth […] Finding a good balance for the car is important because if you don’t, you’ll have a hard time. Austin is tough on brakes and fuel consumption, so you have to be attentive. »

The sequence of turns T3-T6 at the Circuit Of The Americas is reminiscent of Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel at Silverstone, as mentioned by Nico Hülkenberg. Beyond the series of curves, sector 1 is winding overall, extending to turn 9 – sector 2 – before encountering straight sections again. Sector 3 also comprises multiple curves, but they are sharper and more incisive. It provides overtaking opportunities, as Felipe Massa experienced to his detriment last year in turn 15 against Fernando Alonso, although the contact between the two drivers sparked debate.

We hope for the Renault driver that his racing experience will be greater this season. In 2016, Nico Hülkenberg was forced to retire following a contact with Valtteri Bottas in the bottleneck that is the first turn, under the nose of Sergio Pérez who reached the finish line in 8th position some 56 laps later.

*Le petit tour du propriétaire*

Pink for a good cause

« Drive for the Cure », which can be translated as « Drive for the Cure », is the temporary initiative of this American weekend in support of the fight against breast cancer. This partnership between the Susan G. Komen organization and Liberty Media will shake up the color codes of Formula 1 in Austin.

We’ve dyed our Purple #Fit4F1 Ultrasofts Pink for the #USGP 🇺🇸!
Learn more: https://t.co/VPsALQWsrZ#DriveForTheCure pic.twitter.com/8ym1Ki4tk2

— Pirelli Motorsport (@Pirellisport) 16 octobre /f1/actualite/22339-lewis-hamilton-peut-etre-champion-des-austin-si.html

For the occasion, Pirelli announced that the ultra-soft tires will have a pink sidewall instead of purple, and likewise, the traditional red stripe that separates the pit lane from the pit stalls has turned pink to emphasize the organizers’ involvement. Undoubtedly, Liberty Media is bringing a fresh breeze to Formula 1 with this initiative that disrupts the usual organization.

IT’S RACE WEEK 🙌

And @COTA is turning pink as #F1 teams up with @SusanGKomen to fight breast cancer 👀 #USGP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/otq9CAJv4R

— Formula 1 (@F1) 16 octobre /f1/actualite/22339-lewis-hamilton-peut-etre-champion-des-austin-si.html

As individuals, the American team Haas also entered into a partnership with the association. Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen will wear pink gloves and shoes at COTA for these three days. The Force India team, already quite familiar with the color, will, as was the case in Monaco, Montreal, and Silverstone, have a pink ribbon just above the nose of its car.

Think pink.

We’ve partnered with @F1 and @SusanGKomen to #DriveForTheCure. You can help make a difference at https://t.co/bUqJOl6QVr. pic.twitter.com/UvBsx4Ilf9— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) 17 octobre

The approach of the final outcome

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#USGP

Let’s go!!! 🇺🇸🏁👍 pic.twitter.com/YR1mh5zZNA

— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 19 octobre /f1/actualite/22339-lewis-hamilton-peut-etre-champion-des-austin-si.html

“`

Upon returning from the summer break, Sebastian Vettel was leading the championship, but the Asian tour was a complete failure for the German driver and his team. To make matters worse, Lewis Hamilton scored full or nearly full points from Spa-Francorchamps to Suzuka.

As a result of all this, the United States Grand Prix could be decisive for the driver’s title in favor of the British driver under certain conditions. The Ferrari driver, on the other hand, is forced to achieve an exploit, meaning he must win the last four races and hope for setbacks for his rival.

9️⃣ – he will be the 9th New Zealander to take part in a #F1 GP
6️⃣ – years old when he started racing in karts

More numbers about Brendon ➡️ https://t.co/HBDzVKH9e0 pic.twitter.com/GHmra9Oqcv

— Toro Rosso (@ToroRossoSpy) 16 octobre /f1/actualite/22339-lewis-hamilton-peut-etre-champion-des-austin-si.html

We’re currently playing musical chairs at Toro Rosso, and one might almost wonder which drivers will be in the blue cars from Faenza in the United States if they missed a few updates in recent days. With Pierre Gasly competing for the title in Super Formula at Fuji this weekend, it is New Zealander Brendon Hartley who has been chosen by Franz Tost.

The 27-year-old driver had already laid his hands on the Toro Rosso steering wheel in 2009 during private tests, but his career shifted towards endurance racing following a complicated experience in single-seaters. At the wheel of the Porsche No. 2, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans last June with Timo Bernhard and Earl Bamber.

Welcome to Enstone, @Carlossainz55!
Carlos visited the factory last week so we quizzed him on his first impression! https://t.co/2KKbvD561I pic.twitter.com/VnStvQGF6Z

— Renault Sport F1 (@RenaultSportF1) 17 octobre /f1/actualite/22339-lewis-hamilton-peut-etre-champion-des-austin-si.html

Outpaced by Haas in the championship, Renault now has all the cards in hand – our apologies to Jolyon Palmer – to defend itself and claim the 6th place held by… Toro Rosso. Carlos Sainz, now in the Renault colors, will support Nico Hülkenberg to surpass the points tally of his former team, which he himself had accumulated. Understand the irony of the situation.

« I am eager to work with Carlos (Sainz). We both need to finish the season well in the interest of the team for the Constructors’ championship. I will do everything to help him settle at Renault, but he is a very competent driver with a bright future. » announced the German driver.

To (really) know everything…

The relative leniency of the tarmac with the tires and the lack of grip have led Pirelli to choose its softest compounds. Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari have made a measured choice, while Williams and McLaren are the most aggressive with nine sets of ultra-softs for their two drivers.

Find the individual choice of the pilots:

These are the #Fit4F1 shoes you’ve been waiting for! #USGP #Spoiler https://t.co/QgdjvtZRGb

— Pirelli Motorsport (@Pirellisport) 10 octobre /f1/actualite/22339-lewis-hamilton-peut-etre-champion-des-austin-si.html

To earn the right to press the “DRS” button, drivers will need to be within one second of the driver they are chasing: at the braking point of turn 11 to activate it on the back straight; at the braking point of turn 19 to use it on the main straight.

The Texan climate might be less arid than usual this weekend, with risks of thunderstorms early Friday afternoon potentially disrupting the second practice session. The situation should be similar on Saturday, with a qualifying session that might take place on a wet or drying track. Conversely, the weather will be favorable for the race on Sunday.

Don’t forget the TV schedule!