2019 USA GP - Circuit of the Americas Texas

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F1 rolls into the state of Texas USA, the trully magnifcent Circuit of the Americas for what has turned out to be a historic weekend. The F1 Group finally released the rules and regulations for the 2021 season. And the final architecture of the car of the new era of F1 was out on display at the press conference.

Lewis Hamilton comes into this weekend with four points standing between him and his sixth driver's world championship title. Bottas is faced with the task of trying to keep the championship battle going a little bit longer beyond this COTA race. If Hamilton finishes ahead of Bottas in the first four positions, he would be the 2019 world champion. Hence, Bottas must finish ahead of Hamilton to keep his hopes and chances alive.

COTA has a long run from the starting line, up one of the steepest upwards slope on the calendar to the first corner. And then down a steep descent through a number of zigzags. The awesome engine of the Ferrari may have both Red cars arriving at this corner ahead of the competition. This track has all the hallmarks of what would suite the Ferrari. Hence, it is fair to say Ferrari are going to mighty here and are most likely the car to beat this weekend.

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However, tempertures appear to be very low this year, hence it is unclear how the tyres would be affected. The grid may well be shaken up to produce an unlikely lineup after the qualifier. Hence, there is no certainty that Ferrari would take pole on saturday.

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COTA has typically been a Hamilton track. The Mercedes has alway gone well here, hence, Ferrari are likely not going to have things entirely their own way. I think the fight for pole shall be between Hamilton and Leclerc mostly but l would not rule out Bottas and Vettel. Verstapenn is an outside chance with the potential to disrupt the order of the outcome of the Ferrari-Mercedes battle.

The fight for third in the driver's championship is closely fought with 16 points spanning the three drivers in contention. Leclerc leads the way with 6 points ahead of Vettel and 16 points ahead of Verstapenn.

Now feast your eyes on these American beauties to set you up for this awesome weekend of racing.

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This is going to be the chilliest race of this season. Thursday was a terrible day for trick-or-treating. On Friday early morning, the temperatures in Central Texas were just below freezing. During the weekend the temperatures are going to raise a bit. This is kind of sad, I wanted to see a rare F1 race where those blue Pirelli snow tires were finally put to use.

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Originally Posted by zako85

This is going to be the chilliest race of this season. Thursday was a terrible day for trick-or-treating. On Friday early morning, the temperatures in Central Texas were just below freezing. During the weekend the temperatures are going to raise a bit. This is kind of sad, I wanted to see a rare F1 race where those blue Pirelli snow tires were finally put to use.

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I was hoping to see studded tires , so they could grind down those bumps a little .

Snow tires or not, qually time is here!

Well done by Bot'!

Bottas v2.0 smh.

He was probably given Hamilton settings, and Hamilton wasn't allowed to use those settings.

MB only have themselves to blame for retaining him.

He's an idiot.

Something unique when Hamilton does clinch the championship. It'll be the first time he's won 3 titles in a row.

It'll be good if Bottas can win and clinch 2nd. Obviously up against the super high expectations of most fans and in comparison to Hamilton's achievements, Bottas is seen as a dispensable ******** who should be burnt at the stake. But it'll be a career record 4 wins in a season so far and his best result in a championship. It might not seem a big deal, but look at all the derision he copped when he hasn't accomplished these results?

On another note, it's interesting to see the effects of moments like his crash in Canada and Mexico qualifying, and in Germany. Looking at the grid now, he'd have been a good chance to keep the title alive at Brazil. If he did that, Hamilton could've had a dnf or something occur. ut he's made it too hard for himself.

The positive of Hamilton clinching the championship, it that England can still claim a World Championship this weekend!

Six championships for Lewis. Whoop whoop! Top drive today as well, only a couple of laps from winning on a counter strategy that wasn’t optimal.

Congratulations to Bottas v2.0, won Austin, lost the championship. Great drive from him to be fair. He did what he had to do. Maybe v3.0 will do it next year.

Well-deserved championship for Hamilton.
Ferrari again fail to deliver.

Nice drives by both Mercedes drivers. Congrats to "The Boss" on a another WDC, and a well deserved victory for 'tas!

Another great job by Lewis of tire management when it mattered, and securing the WDC in the process.

Strong weekend for Bottas 2.0 overall. When he gets it right this year he is on his game.

Great race by Max as well. They have really upped the car with current power, and seem to be able to challenge at more tracks. Had strategy played a different hand he might have had a shot at a higher podium step.

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Originally Posted by journeyman racer

Something unique when Hamilton does clinch the championship. It'll be the first time he's won 3 titles in a row.

It'll be good if Bottas can win and clinch 2nd. Obviously up against the super high expectations of most fans and in comparison to Hamilton's achievements, Bottas is seen as a dispensable ******** who should be burnt at the stake. But it'll be a career record 4 wins in a season so far and his best result in a championship. It might not seem a big deal, but look at all the derision he copped when he hasn't accomplished these results?

On another note, it's interesting to see the effects of moments like his crash in Canada and Mexico qualifying, and in Germany. Looking at the grid now, he'd have been a good chance to keep the title alive at Brazil. If he did that, Hamilton could've had a dnf or something occur. ut he's made it too hard for himself.

The positive of Hamilton clinching the championship, it that England can still claim a World Championship this weekend!

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I don't think one could say Bottas is dispensible anymore. He has delivered the minimum expected of him this season. He showed very strong form and he can only build from here. Second in the championship and career best championship finish and points. He beat a four times world champion in the process. Good on him!

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Originally Posted by Nitrodaze

I don't think one could say Bottas is dispensible anymore. He has delivered the minimum expected of him this season. He showed very strong form and he can only build from here. Second in the championship and career best championship finish and points. He beat a four times world champion in the process. Good on him!

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I'd say Bottas has upped his game quite a bit this year, and has hardly done the "minimum expected". Just last year he lost out to other drivers, and this year he is actually winning some races and beating Lewis on occasion. V 2.0 has been a much stronger driver all around really.

Something Bottas had done in America that I don't think Rosberg ever done (certainly not form 2014-16). That is passing Hamilton on the track an winning.