The highlights of the previous United States Grand Prix

The Circuit of the Americas, you either love it or hate it, there’s no middle ground. From the incongruous presence of the literal NBA giant Shaquille O’Neal on the podium in Austin last season to the police escort of Max Verstappen at the Miami Grand Prix this year, Americans never cease to amaze us. While we wait to see what the race has in store for us this weekend, let’s look back at some highlights of the United States Grand Prix.

The F1 circuit in Austin was inaugurated in 2012.

After several delays in the construction of the circuit, the Austin track was inaugurated on October 21, 2012 by the 1978 world champion Mario Andretti. This date also marks the return of the Grand Prix of the Americas, which had been absent since 2007. Between 2000 and 2007, the race took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Before that, Formula 1 also passed through the circuits of Riverside, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Phoenix.

Since 2012, the United States Grand Prix has taken place annually in Austin, except for an interruption in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. For the first race on this circuit, over 100,000 spectators were present to witness Lewis Hamilton’s final victory at the wheel of a McLaren before his move to Mercedes in 2013. It is worth noting that the British driver finished the race ahead of many other world champions, in this order: Sebastian Vettel (2nd), Fernando Alonso (3rd), Jenson Button (5th), and Kimi Räikkönen (6th). This impressive streak was interrupted by Felipe Massa in 4th place, an unlucky runner-up in the 2008 World Championship.

Six cars at the start of the Grand Prix in 2005, the shame of F1.

As the race was taking place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the starting grid presents a (scandalously) historical image: only six cars are participating in the Grand Prix. A true fiasco, partially attributed to Michelin tires. After Ralf Schumacher’s accident during the free practice on Friday, the Michelin tyres were deemed unsafe. They were not able to withstand the enormous pressure of turn 13, fast and very steep.

After numerous deliberations on whether or not to hold the race, the cars equipped with these tires ultimately returned to the pits after the warm-up lap. Only the three teams that had chosen Bridgestone tires started the race, to the bewildered and angry stares of the spectators. While it was the Michelin tires that caused this disaster, it was the inaction of F1 and the FIA, as well as the lack of agreement among the teams, that endorsed this lamentable spectacle, greatly tarnishing the image of the sport.

The long-awaited victory of Kimi Räikkönen in 2018.

Kimi Räikkönen is living proof that one should never lose hope in the race for victory. It was on the Austin circuit that the Finn returned to success in 2018, after over five years and 114 Grand Prix races without a win. Behind the wheel of his Ferrari, Kimi Räikkönen was able to gain the advantage over poleman Lewis Hamilton at the start, with the British driver finishing the race in third position, while Max Verstappen climbed up from eighteenth place to finish second. The Iceman’s last victory dated back to the Australian Grand Prix in 2013. We’ll let you relive the finish line below.

This success from the Finnish driver is also delaying Lewis Hamilton’s fifth world championship title which he was supposed to secure by finishing the race with an 8-point lead over Sebastian Vettel. However, the German crossed the finish line just behind the Mercedes driver in fourth position. Nevertheless, it will only be a temporary setback: Lewis Hamilton will be crowned champion in the next Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico.

GRANDE KIMI!

After a gap of five-and-a-half years, Kimi Räikkönen gets another F1 race win!

We hope you enjoyed our latest F1 Rewind, in partnership with @pirellisport 🇺🇸#F1Rewind #F1 pic.twitter.com/1BXpKwTevI

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 9, 2020