2013 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix

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Once again Formula 1 makes its return to the United States, at the still very young Circuit Of The Americas in Austin, Texas. While the World Driver and Constructor Championships may be but long over, fights still continue for the remaining places on the podium.

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Race Date: 17 Nov 2013
Circuit Name: Circuit of The Americas
First Grand Prix: 2012
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 5.513 km
Race Distance: 308.405 km
Lap Record: 1:39.347 - S Vettel (2012)

2012 Podium
1st Lewis Hamilton (McLaren-Mercedes)
2nd Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull-Renault)
3rd Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)



Will Sebastian Vettel continue his winning streak and set a new consecutive wins record? Vettel has tied for the current record of 7, but under a technicality, Alberto Ascari's record could be extended to 9 wins, depending on how one views his wins.

Will Kimi Raikonen be making an appearance to the final 2 races of the season? Multiple sources say no, as even though the pay dispute may have been settled for the most part, the new problem is Kimi under going back surgery. The problem that first came to our attention around the Singapore Grand Prix seems to be much more prominent than what we all believed at first. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 :(


My favorite modern circuit, I'm hoping this Grand Prix is just as good as last years!
 
This thread may be locked for a couple of days, the rule for opening GP threads is the Tuesday before, not really sure why people care too much but just remember that for future.👍

Edit: I have to say, this is my favourite modern circuit as well.:D
 
I see. I've heard something like that before I think, but I figured it wasn't set in stone and was just a guideline. As long it's reopened when the time is right I guess it doesn't matter. And truthfully, I really wanted secure my spot for making the thread so I figured might as well make it when I have the time and it's on my mind.


Edit: Ok yeah I reread the subforum rules and it's stated to not make a thread on an event at least until the Tuesday before it. Sorry for jumping the gun guys. Do what you guys see fit, but if the thread is kept open thank you :)
 
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This was a good race last year (not to mention my first GP), so hopefully this one will just as good.
 
Hopefully the entry list for this Grand Prix will be complete soon, surely can't be announced any later than Thursday...
 
All these back issues heh. I recall an image Lewis Hamilton posted on Facebook a few months ago of him getting a MRI for his back. He captioned it saying that because of the regular exposure to high Gs, a driver's spin can deteriorate. He obviously checked out, but I wonder if any long term issues could pop up for some of these guys.
 
With Kimi gone I have no interest in the next 2 races... sorry...:rolleyes:

My only concern is what will happen with Checo in 2014!!! :scared:
 
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I wonder if with this years tires if a 1 stop is still possible. Probably is, but you never know. Yeah, we are past the point of the growing pains, and so the teams/drivers know very well how to save the tires, but the option tire for the past few races has been really falling off a cliff much earlier than everyone expected.

Another thing too is how apparently well the track allows for a mix of the leaders. Vettel may very well take pole again, but I imagine it will be similar to Suzuka in which he won't be completely dominate from start to finish. Fairly good amount of spots to overtake, and with the track still being a new to the drivers, mistakes are bound to be made. So many overtakes were the result of a poor line through turn 1.
 
My predictions: Vettel Vettel Vettel...
I wouldn't be suprised if this happens. Best of luck to the other teams, hopefully Webber can get some success in the last two races.
 
It will be interesting to see how the racing with the track being less slippery. Impressions from last year were that overtaking opportunities were pretty slim. It reminds me a lot of the Indian circuit.
 
ROAD_DOGG33J
It will be interesting to see how the racing with the track being less slippery. Impressions from last year were that overtaking opportunities were pretty slim. It reminds me a lot of the Indian circuit.
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What are you talking about?! Look at the stats sheet! 32 "normal" overtakes, when most tracks on the calendar don't even average more than 10-15. Granted, everyone was still adjusting to the track last year and weren't running perfect laps, but still, I think that says a lot about this track.

Even when you combine the DRS overtakes, some tracks still don't even come close.
 
ROAD_DOGG33J
It will be interesting to see how the racing with the track being less slippery. Impressions from last year were that overtaking opportunities were pretty slim. It reminds me a lot of the Indian circuit.
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Yeah, really have no idea what you're talking about, there was passing all over the place, did you not watch the race?
 
This was a surprisingly good new racetrack that provided an excellent race last year if I remember correctly. Hopefully we will have an exciting race this year as well although I doubt it. None of the drivers seem to really care anymore except Vettel. 2014 cannot come soon enough.
 
I hope they've repainted the stars in the run-off and Bernie has let them stay. They looked really good and were different.
 
Wardez
Yeah, really have no idea what you're talking about, there was passing all over the place, did you not watch the race?
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The track just didn't leave a good impression on me. I remember thinking that without the greasy surface, it would be not that good of a race. 2013's race will seal my final opinion on the track.
 
Such a hairy start to practice...

Once things got underway though, I think it really started showing that COTA is a quite demanding for the drivers. This might sound really redundant, but anyway, I see it that some tracks the car is a much more significant factor than the driver. It's never the only factor obviously, and no matter what track, it's a blend of car, driver, and team. But, there are some tracks that demand more from the driver than others, and I COTA is one of them. The amount of lockups and off track adventures show everyone has their work cut out for them.

Quite a lot of interesting factors at play among the teams too. Kimi's replacement driver (who seems like he has no problem driving a car he has never before driven, especially an F1 driver. I know he is a reserve driver, so he wouldn't be totally unprepared, but still...), Alonso needing some tape for his neck/back, and other issues making things interesting.

I think it should be noted that Pirelli is definitely being conservative with tire choice this race. They could have brought the Softs and made Mediums the prime.
 
Whodoyouthink
Kimi's replacement driver (who seems like he has no problem driving a car he has never before driven, especially an F1 driver. I know he is a reserve driver, so he wouldn't be totally unprepared, but still...)
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Well, Kovalainen has 110 F1 races under his belt which includes one win so it would be more surprising if he struggled.
 
Fantasic slomotion shots now on FP3...its so humid,you can see the airflow around not only the rear wing but also sidepods and frontwing!!

Awesome!!




Spy.
 
Anghammarad
Well, Kovalainen has 110 F1 races under his belt which includes one win so it would be more surprising if he struggled.
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Oh wow, didn't think he had any prior F1 experience.

Alexander Rossi didn't do too bad either, all things considered. I see it still being a good few years before he's at a competitive team, but the sooner he gets in to F1 the better. If not for 2014, I don't see why 2015 is out of the question.
 
I think it's brilliant that Vettel has to be constantly told to slow down by the team, even in practice sessions. He's a true racer, go as fast as you can all the time. Can't take that away from him. It's a shame that he as well as other drivers don't apply that in the race when they aren't in first place though. I hate cars sitting behind others waiting for the undercut.
 
Alex.
It's a shame that he as well as other drivers don't apply that in the race when they aren't in first place though. I hate cars sitting behind others waiting for the undercut.
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Its why I'm feeling quite dis-illusioned with F1 of late. It used to be about going relatively flat out, I preferred that F1. People might mention F1 of the 80s being about looking after tyres, but back then it was based on the driver's intuition when to push and when to hold back. Strategy wasn't so hugely important and micro-managed by the team.
I don't mind strategy being a big thing, strategy has always been a large part of it, but, yeah, the current state of F1 is pretty dull to me.
I'd rather they were pushing flat out but getting stuck behind each other than knowing they are not pushing despite being able to pass or defend (or being unable to defend because of stupid DRS).
 

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