93 replies to this topic

[SophieB]

2013 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX

Inspired by Cool Beans’ recent noble efforts to raise the standards for F1 race weekend opening posts, I’m chipping in too. No fancy graphics, though Also, I know very little about Austin or Texas but I’m not letting that hold me back. Still, I have uncovered the following advice about Texas - you don’t mess with it. Seriously, don’t – the research was quite clear on this point. What else? Well, the Circuit of the Americas is in Austin, one of two American GPs that will have a regular place on the calendar as soon as New Jersey fixes all it ..ahahaha sorry, I couldn’t keep that going. No, it’s the only US GP and it’s going to remain the only US GP. It’s the second year this race has been held and last year it all went off pretty successfully. Infrastructure has been criticised though, and ahead of last year’s race there were predictions of terrible traffic problems which sadly did materialise for one out- of-town visitor, a Mr S Vettel from Heppenheim, Germany. He’s not letting it all put him off, though and he’s back this year looking to have a better time and probably will. Last year’s race was won by Lewis Hamilton and the prizes were presented by the only F1 driver America has ever heard of, Mario Andretti. He presented the top three drivers with novelty Stetsons instead of the more traditional baseball caps. As they were such a hit, this year the top 3 drivers will probably be presented with BBQ aprons, complete with drawings of laurel wreaths and ‘Hail to the Chef’ on them.

Okay. What if I'm interested in things like the lap record, or the DRS zones, stuff like that?

Go here to the F1.com site. There's two DRS zones this year, by the look of things, by the way.

Who is going to win?

Vettel will win.

Oh. Shall I bother watching, then?

Don't be like that - it would be quite the achievement in terms of consecutive races won. Besides, there's more at stake now than watching people scrap over the lesser places for the honour of eating plastic chicken with Seb at the FIA end of term Gala. No, we also have something that’s actually kind of interesting – the race for second place in the WCC! Complicated by back problems all round…

“You had to drag SPINES into this!”

I did. Yup, this past week or so has dealt our beloved sport a reminder that our heroes are only human with both Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso suffering significant back pain. Kimi is out for the rest of the season to get surgery (rest strong, Iceman!), Alonso is apparently being a brave little trooper and battling on. So, with their main man struggling, can Ferrari still take second and all that glittering, fabulous Bernie money? Or can Mercedes snatch the prize? Or can Lotus beat the odds? And who will be driving for them anyway?

What do you mean, who will be driving for Lotus? Don't they have a regular reserve driver?

They do, David Valsecchi, but he will not be driving in place of Kimi. No-one knows who will. Yet. Exciting, huh?

Enthralling. Okay, when's this thing all happening, anway?

Friday 15 November
Practice 1: 09:00 - 10:30
Practice 2: 13:00 - 14:30

Saturday 16 November
Practice 3: 09:00 - 10:00
Qualifying: 12:00 - 13:00

Sunday 17 November
The Race: 13:00 - 14:00

All times local. To find out what time it is on where you live, check the time zone converter here on Autosport or here on F1.com

Edited to add: Heikki Kovalainen confirmed as driving for Lotus.

[Buttoneer]

An excellent effort!  One day, all OP's will be made this way.  I do miss the obligatory cat, though perhaps they should remain Nascar only, for the sake of Andrew Hope's sanity.  Or ours.

[ArkZ]

Rain on the way for Saturday, and clouds for Friday and Sunday, so far according to offcial F1 weather prediction.

[Kelateboy]

This is an easy race to call.

 

It'd be great if Vettel gets his gearbox replaced and starts 10 places back. That would make for a very interesting race.

[V3TT3L]

 

http://www.fia.com/2...-prix-preview-0

 

CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS
 
Length of lap: 5.513km
Lap record: 
1:39.347
(Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing, 2012)
Start/finish line offset: 0.323km
Total number of race laps: 56
Total race distance: 308.405km
Pitlane speed limits:
80km/h throughout the weekend.
 
CHANGES TO THE CIRCUIT SINCE 2012
► Removable kerbs, 50mm high, similar to those used at the apex of Turns Eight and Nine in Abu Dhabi, have been installed at the apex of Turns Three, Four and Five. Similar kerbs, 75mm high, have been placed at the apex of Turns Seven and Nine.
    
DRS ZONES
► There will be two DRS zones at COTA. The detection point of the first will be 150 metres after Turn 10, with the activation point 320m after Turn 11. The second zone’s detection point will be 65m after Turn 18, with the activation point 80m after Turn 20, just before the start/finish line. 

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

This is an easy race to call.

 

It'd be great if Vettel gets his gearbox replaced and starts 10 places back. That would make for a very interesting race.

 

I'd be wondering why he had a 10 place grid penalty for something that results in a 5 place grid penalty normally. Anyway, yeah, can't see anyone other than the car itself beating Vettel. If the car is reliable and his stops go smoothly, he'll win.

[Exb]

FOTA fan forum on Wednesday (17.30 CET - 23.30 GMT)
James Allen has put a link up on twitter for the live stream

https://twitter.com/...247221544689665

Edited by Exb, 12 November 2013 - 20:32.

[Anja]

This is an easy race to call.

 

It'd be great if Vettel gets his gearbox replaced and starts 10 places back. That would make for a very interesting race.

 

Maybe more interesting than usual, but he'd still win anyway...

[AustinF1]

Vance & I are teaming Facebook/FoF1ATX with the crew from Formula1Blog.com for a Tweetup this Saturday night at 830PM in the bar at the Hyatt Lost Pines. Come join us! F1B will be giving away a beautiful Lapizta watch, but you have to be there to win. We'll be joined at the Tweetup by F1B's Todd (@negativecamber_), Paul (@paulf1b), & Mark McArdle (@charlie_whiting aka- Fake Charlie Whiting). Hopefully some of y'all can make it out there too...

 

http://www.formula1b...#comment-170262

Edited by AustinF1, 12 November 2013 - 21:36.

[SonnyViceR]

Just Ferrari Challenge and some vintage series on the support bill. It's funny how a circuit that was specifically built for this series tends to have the crappiest support package of the year (of the major happenings) for that very event. But then again all non-European F1 races have dreadful support packages, with the exception of Australia.

 

I wonder if it'll be another huge drop down in attendance as it usually happens with tilkedromes in second year running. Nobody came to see the WEC race (ALMS drawing bigger crowd, partly because it's domestic series and cause of Corvette and Viper) and numerous events have been cancelled for next year, including V8 Supercars.

Edited by SonnyViceR, 12 November 2013 - 20:51.

[Atreiu]

Race doesn't matter, let's see how the silly season chips fall.

[SophieB]

FOTA fan forum on Wednesday (17.30 CET - 23.30 GMT)James Allen has put a link up on twitter for the live streamhttps://twitter.com/...247221544689665

@ollyFOTA: We are accepting some pre-submitted questions to info@fota.co for #FOTAFORUM tomorrow. Get emailing! @SpeedGreen will read them! (Source: https://twitter.com/...371569400504320)

[Clatter]

For those attending. Has the ticketing issue been sorted?

[Baddoer]

It will be all about the tyres. Tyres, tyres, tyres, tyres.

[AustinF1]

For those attending. Has the ticketing issue been sorted?

Sort of. We're hearing some people saying they received their tickets today. Others say they haven't, so it should be interesting.

[FerrariFanInTexas]

I never received mine by mail or FedEx, so I picked them up at the track yesterday.  Pondering whether to do something legal about the service/delivery charges (x7 tickets), given that I took an hour out of my day to pick them up.

[repete]

i got my parking passes, will have to pick up race tickets Friday or Thursday I guess.

[Kristian]

It will be all about the tyres. Tyres, tyres, tyres, tyres.

 

No it will probably be quite dull with the hards and mediums, to be honest. 

 

It will all be about Vettel. Vettel, Vettel, Vettel, Vettel. 

[sennafan24]

Heart says Lewis, head and form says Seb.

 

Lewis was sublime hear last year in race trim, but Seb was excellent in qualifying. Based on last year it would seem both are strong at this track, a repeat of lasts years podium is unlikely, I see Romain and possibly Webber creeping onto the podium. Nico could threaten as well as he is on form. Ferrari/Alonso seem in a bit of a slump, more from the car side than driver.

 

I am looking forward to it, I love evening GP's late in the year. Makes a change from watching in the sweltering heat of Summer, or the crack of dawn half asleep and cold. I like the Austin track as well, and really enjoyed last years race.

 

So yeah, even though the title is wrapped up, I am far from jaded with my 2013 F1 viewing 

[AustinF1]

I never received mine by mail or FedEx, so I picked them up at the track yesterday.  Pondering whether to do something legal about the service/delivery charges (x7 tickets), given that I took an hour out of my day to pick them up.

Is it $15? Per ticket?

 

Did they also charge you for Fedex Tracking while providing untracked USPS?

Edited by AustinF1, 13 November 2013 - 00:44.

[X61]

US and Brasil, two tracks that are good and don't require me to wake up at an ungodly hour.  Or stay up to the point that memories of the race are hazy at best.  Looking forward to these next few weekends, even if the championships are sewn up.

[AustinF1]

Heart says Lewis, head and form says Seb.

 

Lewis was sublime hear last year in race trim, but Seb was excellent in qualifying. Based on last year it would seem both are strong at this track, a repeat of lasts years podium is unlikely, I see Romain and possibly Webber creeping onto the podium. Nico could threaten as well as he is on form. Ferrari/Alonso seem in a bit of a slump, more from the car side than driver.

 

I am looking forward to it, I love evening GP's late in the year. Makes a change from watching in the sweltering heat of Summer, or the crack of dawn half asleep and cold. I like the Austin track as well, and really enjoyed last years race.

 

So yeah, even though the title is wrapped up, I am far from jaded with my 2013 F1 viewing 

Evening? If you're in Austin the race is at 1PM. Where are you?

[Tapz63]

In the uk it will be an evening race ;)

[Adelaide]

Nice work Sophie. Who needs fancy graphics with your sharp wit. Not even you can convince to get out of bed at 5am on a Monday morning to watch the race though.

[vista]

Dare I ask if there is a chance of rain?

[sennafan24]

Evening? If you're in Austin the race is at 1PM. Where are you?

England, sorry forgot to mention the worldwide viewers 

[SophieB]

Thank you all for the kind words. I think I'll leave IndyCar/ NASCAR with their kitty, though - the moggy seems Andrew Hope's calling card. Although he's welcome to post it in here to give it the feline stamp of approval if liked.
 

Dare I ask if there is a chance of rain?

Scattered thunderstorms forecast on Saturday, mostly cloudy on Sunday.

[ArkZ]

Dare I ask if there is a chance of rain?

http://www.weather.c...X USTX0057:1:US

Friday 10% (chance of rain) ,clouds

Saturday 40% ,storm

Sunday 10% ,clouds

but it's evolving all the time, I would welcome rain race than rain Q or FP.

Edited by ArkZ, 13 November 2013 - 13:33.

[HuddersfieldTerrier1986]

In terms of rain, we're still waiting for our first proper wet race of the season (Malaysia it rained pre race, not during, and the track was only damp for a few laps).

[ch103]

Sorry to say this but I see zero chance of a non-Vettel win.  

[Nonesuch]

I'm normally not one to hope for water on the track, but racing on a damp track should be a good show for the Americans. Damp, because we all know the FIA is going to give us two hours worth of red flags and safety car shenanigans if it actually rains.

 

Though I suspect it is unlikely to happen, I still have some hope that one of the other teams can rise above their recent embarrassing incompetence to give Red Bull a good fight for the win. If they don't, I intend to complain about them on these very forums.

 

Other than that, I'm hoping for a more engaging event than last year. The track didn't click for me then - especially turns 12 to 19 - but it being the first time, I'll not judge it yet.

Edited by Nonesuch, 13 November 2013 - 14:28.

[AustinF1]

England, sorry forgot to mention the worldwide viewers 

Ah, gotcha. That's what I figured. All the mention of freezing cold & blazing hot temps just threw me off...like you'd be watching the race outside.

[gm914]

Nice job Soph. 

[AustinF1]

I'm normally not one to hope for water on the track, but racing on a damp track should be a good show for the Americans. Damp, because we all know the FIA is going to give us two hours worth of red flags and safety car shenanigans if it actually rains.

 

Though I suspect it is unlikely to happen, I still have some hope that one of the other teams can rise above their recent embarrassing incompetence to give Red Bull a good fight for the win. If they don't, I intend to complain about them on these very forums.

 

Other than that, I'm hoping for a more engaging event than last year. The track didn't click for me then - especially turns 12 to 19 - but it being the first time, I'll not judge it yet.

I understand the entertainment value of watching a wet race at home, and I thoroughly enjoyed shooting the FIA WEC rainy Friday practice, but given the condition of the grounds at COTA, anyone attending this race should be praying for a dry weekend with every fiber of their being. COTA is in no way prepared for a rainy racing event with a medium to large crowd.

 

Re: the track, I love it, especially T1-12. It's a blast to drive and it's the best area to shoot pictures or watch, imho. T13-15, while being very popular with most fans due to the extended time the cars are visible there, don't do much for me. It's just too slow for an extended period. T16-19 are very challenging though, especially at or near the limit.

Edited by AustinF1, 24 November 2013 - 09:35.

[AustinF1]

Nice job Soph. 

Yep. Nice job on the OP. I thought about posting a race thread around the same time. You did a much more thorough and entertaining job than I would have!

Edited by AustinF1, 13 November 2013 - 15:12.

[AustinF1]

BTW, here are a few phone pics from yesterday morning out at COTA when the cold front was blowing in. Teams arriving, etc...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AustinF1]

Tonight the F1 events in town start with the FOTA Fan Forum at Cedar Street, 5:30-7:30.

Formula One Teams' Association | FOTA » Events

 

Thursday Night at Speakeasy is Will Buxton's party.

Buxton's Big Time Bash returns for F1 week | Formula Austin | www.statesman.com

 

Friday is the Joe Saward thing at Z-Tejas, 7-11Pm

https://joesaward.wo...fans-in-austin/

 

Saturday night Vance & I are teaming Facebook/FoF1ATX with the crew from Formula1Blog.com for a Tweetup at 830PM in the bar at the Hyatt Lost Pines. Come join us! F1B will be giving away a beautiful Lapizta watch, but you have to be there to win. We'll be joined at the Tweetup by F1B's Todd (@negativecamber_), Paul (@paulf1b), & Mark McArdle (@charlie_whiting aka- Fake Charlie Whiting). Hopefully some of y'all can make it out there too...

Edited by AustinF1, 13 November 2013 - 15:51.

[AustinF1]

Some more shots from yesterday in the paddock & along the pits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Seanspeed]

Great OP, SophieB.  Pretty on-point stuff there.

 

Is it just the camera that makes it look like the spectators are that close to the track in those pics? 

 

Also, are emoticons gone?  Or were my priviledges suspended or something?  My text is now gray, as well.  Weird.

[apoka]

Also, are emoticons gone?  Or were my priviledges suspended or something?  My text is now gray, as well.  Weird.

 

The forum software assumes that members with 12500+ posts are either too old for emoticons and colors or post too frequently, which means their posts are de-emphasized via gray colors.

[g1n]

Great OP, SophieB.  Pretty on-point stuff there.

 

Is it just the camera that makes it look like the spectators are that close to the track in those pics? 

 

Also, are emoticons gone?  Or were my priviledges suspended or something?  My text is now gray, as well.  Weird.

 

12,500 posts in 5 years, that is insane!   That's like 6+ posts a day EVERY day for 5 years!

Edited by g1n, 13 November 2013 - 16:17.

[AustinF1]

Is it just the camera that makes it look like the spectators are that close to the track in those pics? 

 

Which pics?

[FerrariFanInTexas]

Just drove out to the track again to pick up a ticket for another friend who never got them in the mail. 

 

Driving back on the tollroad, two Infiniti Red Bull Racing courtesy cars (G-37s) entered the tollway at Elroy Road.  One of them also had decals on the back that said "My Other Car Is an RB9".  I decided them are fightin' words, so I sped up and passed the two of them in an obnoxious way.  They both noticed and we sped along together at 95-ish, got off at the SH71 exit together and drag-raced away from three sets of stop lights back towards the airport.  Apparently they were on their best behavior or they have slow launch control because I beat them off the line quite easily each time, although they raced along quick enough to get next to me at the next light.  Neither car appeared to have a professional driver.

 

Weather for the race weekend keeps getting better.  Latest forecast is partly sunny with a 20% chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday.  High Saturday is 76 (F) and Sunday is 80.  Night-time lows are in the upper 50's/low 60's so the track should heat up nicely in time for qualifying and the race. 

 

I do wonder why they're bringing the hard and medium compounds again.  The weather is not nearly hot enough to damage the softs, and last year everyone complained about the track being slippery due to the "cold" mornings and the new surface.  I would have expected soft and medium, at least, for this year.

[AustinF1]

Just drove out to the track again to pick up a ticket for another friend who never got them in the mail. 

 

Driving back on the tollroad, two Infiniti Red Bull Racing courtesy cars (G-37s) entered the tollway at Elroy Road.  One of them also had decals on the back that said "My Other Car Is an RB9".  I decided them are fightin' words, so I sped up and passed the two of them in an obnoxious way.  They both noticed and we sped along together at 95-ish, got off at the SH71 exit together and drag-raced away from three sets of stop lights back towards the airport.  Apparently they were on their best behavior or they have slow launch control because I beat them off the line quite easily each time, although they raced along quick enough to get next to me at the next light.  Neither car appeared to have a professional driver.

 

Weather for the race weekend keeps getting better.  Latest forecast is partly sunny with a 20% chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday.  High Saturday is 76 (F) and Sunday is 80.  Night-time lows are in the upper 50's/low 60's so the track should heat up nicely in time for qualifying and the race. 

 

I do wonder why they're bringing the hard and medium compounds again.  The weather is not nearly hot enough to damage the softs, and last year everyone complained about the track being slippery due to the "cold" mornings and the new surface.  I would have expected soft and medium, at least, for this year.

I was disappointed by the compound choice as well, but there are two key things to remember:

 

- the track has rubbered in, a LOT. One well-known race driver recently told me he wouldn't be a bit surprised to see F1 times drop by "5 or 6 seconds". We'll see, but I bet we see a reduction of at least 3-5 sec.

- these hard & mediums are softer than last years hard & mediums.

 

The weather isn't looking bad, but the 30% chance of rain Saturday night (per weather.com) is worrisome. It just doesn't take much rain at all to make a massive mess of the place.

[Seanspeed]

The forum software assumes that members with 12500+ posts are either too old for emoticons and colors or post too frequently, which means their posts are de-emphasized via gray colors.

Fair enough forum software.  You win this one. 

 

12,500 posts in 5 years, that is insane!   That's like 6+ posts a day EVERY day for 5 years!

Geez, yea.  To be fair, its more that I'll post like a ton on a certain day when there's something interesting to talk about, but still.  No defense for that.  I love F1. 

Which pics?

The ones with the grandstand seats and the main straight.  They look very close. 

[AustinF1]

Fair enough forum software.  You win this one. 

 

Geez, yea.  To be fair, its more that I'll post like a ton on a certain day when there's something interesting to talk about, but still.  No defense for that.  I love F1. 

The ones with the grandstand seats and the main straight.  They look very close. 

That's what I thought. Just making sure. Um, those are fairly close along the main straight, but maybe not as close as the phone pic makes them look. It's about 10-12 feet from the front of the stands to the catch-fencing there. It's a great circuit & facility, but one of the most common complaints during different races has been the inability for fans to get up close. The views are fantastic, but it's very difficult to get up close for that visceral rush of sound & speed, where you actually feel it in your chest.

[Clatter]

The forum software assumes that members with 12500+ posts are either too old for emoticons and colors or post too frequently, which means their posts are de-emphasized via gray colors.

It does?

 

I still have them so don't think the Forum software removes anything based on number of posts.

[Tosh]

I'm going to take a wild guess - Vettel wins.

[PayasYouRace]

On the emoticons issue: I have them here at home    but at work I don't and have the grey text while typing too.

Edited by PayasYouRace, 13 November 2013 - 19:15.

[Clatter]

On the emoticons issue: I have them here at home    but at work I don't and have the grey text while typing too.

What browser?