United States Grand Prix – Key facts

Three tracks, for three facts engraved in the memory of F1 fans.

A dazzling start to Jean Alesi’s career

After a promising start in France on his modest Tyrrel, the Frenchman is confirmed within the same team for the year 1990 in order to complete his first full season.

The championship starts with the United States Grand Prix. At that time, the race takes place on the urban track of Phoenix. This atypical track allows the driver from Avignon to showcase to the world the full extent of his talent.

Qualified fourth, he takes an excellent start and seizes the lead ahead of the day’s poleman, the Austrian Gherard Berger on his McLaren. This performance is not a flash in the pan. Little by little, he widens the gap with his pursuers. However, he is equipped with hard tires when his competitors are wearing soft compounds.

Jean Alesi holds the lead of the race alone for 25 laps. It is at this moment that Ayrton Senna catches up with him. It is also at this moment that Jean Alesi begins to write his story…

After striving to maintain the best possible pace at the head of the race, he is determined to hold on to his first place. Galvanized by his battle with a champion of Senna’s calibre, he stands his ground for as long as he can, and the two drivers offer us an unforgettable spectacle.

Even if Alesi has to surrender, he finishes a magnificent second only 8 seconds behind a car much more powerful than his “small” Tyrrel.

The 2007 edition sees the emergence of new talents

This is the final edition of the United States Grand Prix at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The edition starts in the confusion of Robert Kubica’s accident in Canada. Feelings are mixed between astonishment, horror, and relief. Indeed, the accident was violent and the outcome could have been tragic. Fortunately, the Polish driver is doing well, but he has to be replaced by Sebastian Vettel for the American round.

He qualified 7th, and managed to materialize this good qualifying session with an 8th place point in the race. These strong and impressive beginnings make him the youngest driver to score a point in the F1 World Championship at the age of 19 years and 11 months.

At the head of the race, it is Lewis Hamilton who is also impressive. Fresh from his victory a week before at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, he doubles down in Indianapolis and becomes the first driver to step onto the podium in the first seven rounds of the championship. He takes advantage of this to increase his lead in the championship. In his first season, he has already won twice, and leads a group of drivers such as Alonso, Räikkönen, Button, Massa, Fisichella, Heidfeld…

Certainly, these two did not achieve these beautiful results by chance.

Controversial end of race in 2017

That year, young Max Verstappen wants to establish himself as the leader at Red Bull. His desire is to be THE number one driver in the team. His speed is undeniable. However, he lacks discernment in races. Some drivers are born with the ability to wait for the right moment to make the right attack. For others, this comes with experience, or it never comes…

At the end of the race in Austin, the young Dutchman is frustrated by his role as a bystander behind Kimi Räikkönen’s Ferrari. It must be said that he managed the feat of climbing up to fourth place starting from the back of the grid.

With a touch of arrogance, he attempts the final-lap last chance overtake. The attempt is bold but this audacity enables him to cross the finish line in 3rd place.

Joy is short-lived in the Austrian team. The illicit nature of the maneuver being undeniable, Max Verstappen is penalized by 5 seconds for having put all four wheels off the track. He must therefore give up his podium to the Finn.

A bonus highlight in 2018

If all Kimi Räikkönen’s fans cry this year following the announcement of his retirement, they all strongly felt the emotion during his last victory on the same track in 2018. The very day he won the world championship title in 2007.

But for this episode, the story is narrated to you by Nikola in this article: