2021 - Race 17 USA

[F1nKS]

Surprising results with Max taking pole. All the pundits were saying this was Hamilton's race.

With engine issues that seem to be plaguing Mercedes/Bottas - I am wondering if Mercedes improvements were from extracting more performance from the engine at the risk of reliability. My hypothesis is that Mercedes chose to turn the engine down this week over their concerns. I guess it is possible that we find out that RBR made some significant changes going into this weekend.

Should be interesting start tomorrow.

[airshifter]

The first turn should be interesting to say the least. I expect Lewis to be in full attack mode early on, but this year so far Max has been getting the better starts usually. With Perez up near the front for a change, it looks like Lewis is going to be the odd man out, and RB will have the upper hand on strategy coverage. From the sounds of things RB got lucky with the weather, and barely squeaked in their last laps.

Ferrari, McLaren, and Alpha Tauri lined up in pairs after the frontrunners, with Bottas tossed in there after his penalty.

Race pace could be another story..... with changing weather it seems that several cars have been sensitive to track temps, and we will see who got it right tomorrow. Looks like there is at least potential for a good race.

[Fortitude]

FORMULA 1 ARAMCO UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2021 - PRACTICE 3
22 24 Oct 2021 Circuit of The Americas, Austin

https://www.formula1.com/en/results....ractice-3.html


FORMULA 1 ARAMCO UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2021 - QUALIFYING
22 24 Oct 2021 Circuit of The Americas, Austin

https://www.formula1.com/en/results....ualifying.html


'I'm not worried about what's happening behind me' – Verstappen relaxed about front-row showdown with Hamilton
23 October 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...tZH6xK4mp.html


'I felt like this could be my day' says Perez as he misses out on maiden pole in Texas
24 October 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...AuYahv7wR.html

[F1nKS]

Max for the Win!

RB wins a strategy race over Mercedes.

[airshifter]

Quite the interesting race overall, and this time RB got it right. I'll have to admit I thought they came in too early on the second stop, but in the end it gave Max enough breathing room to look after his tires and have enough left to race at the end. Great calls overall by the team, both with Max and Sergio.

Max and Lewis showed just how strong they are above the rest of the field once more. Granted Perez was obviously exhausted with no drink system, but the two frontrunners have a lot of speed on the field without doubt.

Blazer of a start by Lewis. I don't know if it was planned, but I think it was a wise move for Max to push and stay in touch even if it cost him early tire wear. But even with DRS, there was little to no chance of the RB passing the Merc without an error by Lewis.

I thought it was rather desperate of Alonso to act like Kimi gained an advantage after pushing him wide and causing the situation. But he's always thinking at least.

Great races by both Ferrari and McLaren today as well. And for a change, Danny Ric finished several positions ahead of Lando. Maybe it's all finally coming together for him, or maybe Lando just didn't have a great race. Only time will tell I guess. Bottas had a lot of work on his hands today, and it was surprising that he finally got past Sainz at the end. But it was another example of just how hard it is to follow and pass at some of these tracks still. Hopefully most of that is gone next year. If the cars are close it could make for a great year.


Shaq in the longhorn car made for an interesting twist... COTA seems to be good at those things.


I think there is still plenty of room for a challenge from Merc. They just got out foxed today, but I expect them to be back. On to Mexico!

[joe1888cfc]

Very good race, went to the wire. Red bull and Max just too darn quick for Lewis. Knew watching bottas struggle that it wasn't just a matter of Lewis catching and passing max, once he gets closer he always struggles.
Well done max!

[denkimi]

I felt it was weird to have the pole position on the ouside of the first corner. Starting p2 actually gives you a better chance to lead after that than starting at pole

I thought it was rather desperate of Alonso to act like Kimi gained an advantage after pushing him wide and causing the situation. But he's always thinking at least.

I like how alsonso tries to shake things up to show how stupid race control and their random penalty's are.

What better way to show the mess they created when they allowed pushing drivers off the track than to demonstrate it.

[Fortitude]

FORMULA 1 ARAMCO UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2021 - RACE RESULT
22 24 Oct 2021 Circuit of The Americas, Austin

https://www.formula1.com/en/results....ce-result.html


Video
RACE HIGHLIGHTS: See all the key moments from the US Grand Prix in Austin
24 October 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...HtKwnafG3.html


DRIVER OF THE DAY: Verstappen's aggressive Austin drive gets your vote
24 October 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...QMJgZsPCI.html


Feature
United States Grand Prix Facts & Stats: Red Bull’s 200th podium and Honda’s first US win since Senna
Virtual Statman
Sean Kelly
24 October 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...kDK4xKhT5.html


FORMULA 1
Verstappen surprised by Hamilton at Turn 1: I thought I had a decent start!
Red Bull's Max Verstappen said that he felt he'd made a good start to the United States Grand Prix, until a Mercedes drew alongside him...
Author Thomas Maher

https://racingnews365.com/verstappen...a-decent-start


Max Verstappen highlights key for Red Bull turnaround to seize US Grand Prix victory
The Dutchman held on to secure an important victory in the F1 title race and extend his championship lead
Jamie Braidwood

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-b1944654.html


Formula 1
US Grand Prix: Max Verstappen reveals how he felt with Lewis Hamilton hounding him in final laps
By George Dagless
Published: 25 Oct 2021, 9:30

https://www.givemesport.com/1774108-...-in-final-laps


Verstappen calls U.S. Grand Prix win a gamble that paid off
Monday, October 25, 2021 - 10:40

After the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen admitted that he had taken a gamble by twice entering the pits early for new tires. However, Red Bull's tactical choices paid off as Verstappen managed to keep his rival Lewis Hamilton behind him and strengthened his leading position in the Formula 1 World Cup standings in Texas.

https://nltimes.nl/2021/10/25/versta...in-gamble-paid


Red Bull considered a third pit stop for Verstappen
After a tricky second stint that saw Max Verstappen's tyres last just 19 laps, Red Bull considered bringing the Dutchman in for a third pit stop.
Author Adriano Boin

https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-c...for-verstappen


Red Bull’s Christian Horner: “What an incredible victory and double podium for the Team!”
By Paul Hensby
October 25, 2021

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...-for-the-team/


Formula 1
Mark Hughes: Verstappen’s brilliance enabled Red Bull’s boldness
By Mark Hughes

https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-...ulls-boldness/


Father says Verstappen ‘simply one of the best’
OCTOBER 25, 2021
ANDREW MAITLAND

https://grandpx.news/father-says-ver...e-of-the-best/


Perez’s ‘toughest race ever’ due to illness, no water
Date published: October 25 2021 - Michelle Foster

https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio...ce-ever-us-gp/


Sergio Pérez: 'It was just a surviving mode' with no water after Lap 1 at a very hot COTA
Sergio Pérez says "it was extremely tough" with no water in his Red Bull car after Lap 1 at a very hot Circuit of the Americas as he describes feeling week and being in "surviving mode" for most of the 2021 United States Grand Prix.
24 Oct 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/v...663357880.html


Unwell Perez endured 'toughest race ever' in Austin
Phillip van Osten
24/10/2021 at 23:2825/10/2021 at 00:32

https://f1i.com/news/422381-unwell-p...in-austin.html


Perez reveals physical battle at US GP following upset stomach
by Fergal Walsh

https://www.motorsportweek.com/2021/...upset-stomach/


Perez stomach bug and drinks failure lead to "toughest race ever"
Ewan Gale
Sunday 24 October 2021 23:43 - Updated: 23:58

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/71...est-race-ever/

[Nitrodaze]

It was a great bounce-back for Redbull and Verstappen. Unfortunately, this time, Mercedes did not set up their car with the right balance which cost them this race l felt. Hence, we did not have the head to head with both cars in their best setup. Whatever the case, the stage seems to be set for Verstappen to win the drivers championship, as we head to Redbull tracks in Mexico and Brazil. The championship gap is set to widen even further with a possibility of the championship going to the wire if Hamilton and Mercedes can win both the desert races of Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Even so, Verstappen would need to finish on the podium at Abu Dhabi to win the driver championship.

That said, this would only be the case if Verstappen can win in Mexico and Brazil. If Hamilton can at least win Brazil before heading into the desert, then the driver's championship could be thrown wide open again heading into Abu Dhabi.

It was a bit unclear which of the two racecars is faster as Mercedes did not dial their car into its best setup. Redbull did and walked away with the win. It seems they are equally as fast as the other in their best trim at the moment.

.

[denkimi]

I hope hamilton manages to win the next round so it stays as close as possible till the very end.