American GP Thread - Contains Spoilers so feck off with complaining if see something ya dnt like.

[Fernando]

First topic message reminder :

Standard - No abusing unless it's me because you suck (Just kidding...well maybe)

Times for the UK
P1: 3pm
P2: 7PM
P3: 3PM Saturday
Qualifying: 6PM
Race: 8PM Sunday

With three races and a maximum of 100 points remaining to decide this year’s Formula One drivers’ championship, the focus during this weekend’s United States Grand Prix should have been entirely on the racing.

But instead, F1 arrives in Austin as a sport on the brink of crisis with two teams – Caterham and Marussia – having fallen into administration since the last race, leaving a meagre field of 18 entrants for this weekend’s grand prix.

Given F1’s eagerness to conquer the American market in a state which prides itself on having the largest of everything, it’s an unfortunate coincidence this year’s race will have the smallest grid since the infamous 2005 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Three years since F1’s last race at the Circuit of the Americas, the field is now 25% smaller.

Although Marussia and Caterham were only ever going to be contesting the minor positions, the loss of these four cars will have a significant impact on this grand prix weekend. The regulations do not cover the potential for just 18 cars in qualifying, but we will likely see a reduction to the number of cars eliminated from the first two qualifying stages to accommodate the reduced number of cars.

Marussia’ inability to race in the USA means local fans will miss the opportunity to see Alexander Rossi in action, as was widely expected to happen. And the sport’s profile in America would certainly have benefitted from having a local driver.

But while this will be a race weekend dominated by politics, the thousands of fans that will flock to the Circuit of the Americas for its third grand prix will no doubt be more concerned about the duel for the drivers’ championship.

Lewis Hamilton arrives at Austin with a 17-point advantage over Nico Rosberg, and seeking a fifth successive victory to further extend his lead. However Hamilton cannot secure the title this weekend.

He was the first driver to win at the Circuit of the Americas when it opened in 2012. Designed as a purpose-built, permanent home for Formula One in the United States, the venue has proved by far the most popular recent addition to the calendar among drivers, teams and fans. Taking inspiration from a variety of famous European circuits, COTA provides a variety of challenges around its three distinct sectors.

Circuit of the Americas circuit information
Lap length 5.513km (3.426 miles)
Distance 56 laps (308.7km/191.8 miles)
Lap record* 1’39.347 (Sebastian Vettel, 2012)
Fastest lap 1’35.657 (Sebastian Vettel, 2012)
Tyres Medium and Soft
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix

The wide, uphill braking zone into the first corner invites drivers into daredevil lunges before the high-speed sweepers test both driver precision and aerodynamic efficiency. The long back straight offers a second prime overtaking area, with the final sector proving to be perhaps the most difficult for drivers to master during the sport’s first two visits.

A high average lap speed means Mercedes-powered cars will likely enjoy an advantage this weekend. Following criticism that previous tyre choices for this race were too conservative, Pirelli have responded by nominating the soft and medium compounds for this weekend.

With the sport still reeling from the horrific accident suffered by Jules Bianchi in Suzuka, F1 will also trial a new yellow flag speed limit system during free practice this weekend, designed to increase driver and marshal safety after an accident. If successful, we could well see the system introduced during races next season.

[Bull]

No Forza Rossa???


Oh and Nasr has been confirmed to drive for Sauber

[Guest]

What's your obsession with Forza Rossa?

As for Sauber, both driver appointments financially motivated, which you'd expect given their position behind Marussia. Nasr bringing £12m from Banco do Brasil. Sutil being linked with Haas I think.

[GSC]

Don't get the fascination with Sutil. Hes bang average

[Fernando]

That's because he's as reliable as Nick Heidfeld was so people go to him to steady the ship for the most part.

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