945 replies to this topic

[SophieB]

2018 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX

 

 

It is a week where we could see the WDC decided IF Lewis wins the race and Vettel is lower than second, or if Hamilton scores eight more points than him. Or, the slightly more involved version:

 

 

Sky F1 Insider‏ @SkyF1Insider 19 minutes ago

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Here's how @LewisHamilton can clinch a 5th world title at the next race in @AustinGrandPrix @COTA https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/11515153/lewis-hamilton-can-win-fifth-f1-world-title-at-united-states-gp … #JapaneseGP #F1 #SkyF1

 

 

 

Lots of unknowns, then, Also unknown (to me) if Michael Buffer is coming back to do those driver introductions that kind of hilariously ran out of steam as they went on for far too long.

I do hope so. If not, let us content ourselves with reminders of past amazing US promo stuff and reflect that as well a run up to crowning someone a five time world champion, this is now also a farewell tour for Fernando Alonso.

 

GIF via SeventyFourBucks

 

I especially liked this from 2012 and Lewis Hamilton seemingly being asked by his then boss why he was idly cleaning Alonso's ear.

 

 

 

They really should bring those hats back.

 

But back to the upcoming race...

 

DRS etc

 

I rather like the track, seemingly made up deliberately from famous turns corners etc from other tracks, rather like Las Vegas did that thing of gathering their own versions of famous monuments from around the world. In track news, the DRS on the backstraight between turns 11 and 12 will be extended.

 

 

Tyres! Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!Tyres!

 

Pirelli Motorsport‏Verified account @pirellisport Oct 9

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Check out the boots selected by the #F1 cowboys for the Austin rodeo! #USGP http://bit.ly/2QBFILT 

 

 

 

When is it on?

 

Race start, according to the Autosport widget: 7.10 PM UK time,  13.10 PM local time

 

 

Music

 

Enjoy this, the suitably American medley by Henry Mancini from the best ever film about racing cars, The Great Race:

 

 

 

[Ellios]

OP

 

Track was super bumpy for the MotoGP lads, wonder how it will affect the F1 cars...

 

Doubt HAM will clinch WDC x 5 this weekend, after all he's British and we never do it the easy way !

 

As we're chucking in theme tunes, maybe Vettel and Ferrari power can set up a Sting on Merc !

 

Edited by Ellios, 15 October 2018 - 09:01.

[robefc]

 

I especially liked this from 2012 and Lewis Hamilton seemingly being asked by his then boss why he was idly cleaning Alonso's ear.

 

 

Edited by robefc, 15 October 2018 - 09:03.

[Ellios]

 

Nah that's Martin Whitmarsh gogo gadget hand!

[SophieB]

Toto Wolff has been thinking about 2007. 

 

"The freak incidents happen everywhere and a DNF and a consequent bad result suddenly wipes out a large chunk of your points.

"I know from a probability standpoint it doesn't look like it could happen, but this is motor racing, it's a sport, anything can happen. I don't want to even think about him breaking a finger. I mean, anything can happen in motor racing.

"I don't want to dwell too much about it because this is bad karma, too, so let's just get it done. Let's go to Austin, let's have a strong race weekend and then hopefully seal the championship."

 

 

https://www.motorspo...-mind-/3195328/

[Counterbalance]

Toto Wolff has been thinking about 2007. 

 

 

https://www.motorspo...-mind-/3195328/

 

Either that, or he stuck a few quid on Vettel at the start of the season to win the 2018 WDC.

 

He may just be paranoid, though. Having said that, Hamilton seems to like this track quite a bit. Now I've jinxed him.

Edited by Counterbalance, 15 October 2018 - 09:24.

[CL16]

Even a Dnf for Hamilton isn’t changing this outcome, if anything it might just give us some glorious scenes in Brazil instead of the states/Mexico

[rodlamas]

Currently weather forecast looks gray and cold (temperatures in between 11C and 20C). Showers are also likely.

[SophieB]

Currently weather forecast looks gray and cold (temperatures in between 11C and 20C). Showers are also likely.

 

Thanks, the F1 weather accounts I look at didn't have their forecasts up yet.

[Tenmantaylor]

https://www.autospor...n-mercedes-mind

 

You can't blame Toto for thinking this way.

 

To put it in the simplest terms, there are 100 points available and hamilton has a 67pt lead.

 

Two DNFs for Hamilton and two wins for Vettel then there's less than a 2nd place in it with two races to go.

 

It's highly unlikely but highly unlikely things tend to happen in F1 and 2007 was one of many:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Tenmantaylor, 15 October 2018 - 10:03.

[statman]

Flashback:

 

that moment when a Toro Rosso took on the Ferrari's in 2015 in tricky conditions:

 

[SophieB]

McLaren‏Verified account @McLarenF1 6m6 minutes ago

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[SophieB]

Also, I don't go a bundle on stats, but for those of you who do like this sort of thing a lot...

 

 

Formula 1‏Verified account @F1 15h15 hours ago

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Ayrton Senna is the only #F1 driver to win the same Grand Prix five years in a row 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 at Monaco @LewisHamilton won the #USGP in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Next Sunday, he can equal a record that has stood for a quarter of a century

[AlexPrime]

I have the feeling that Lewis will win it in Sunday. US has been a happy place for him and Seb is in some sort of crisis. Toto is just trolling about 2007, no way Merc are losing this.

[Laster]

Yeah what happened in 2007 is in no way relevant here, I don’t know why Toto feels the need to bring that up. Again weather forecasts predict some rain, but as ever I expect that rain will not arrive come race day.

[Anja]

The way I see it, Toto and Merc in general is relying too heavily on data, planning, predictions and such. No one likes the unexpected but it's like Mercedes is allergic to it, they want everything to be neatly calculated and whenever something doesn't go the way they planned/predicted, they panic and just don't know what to do. I suspect it's partly the work culture they built within the team, and partly the result of a long domination. From that viewpoint, Wolff's approach quoted earlier is exactly what I'd expect. 

Edited by Anja, 15 October 2018 - 11:02.

[Jvr]

Looks it is going to be wet qualification as well as race.

 

https://www.yr.no/pl...ricas/long.html

 

 

Edited by Jvr, 15 October 2018 - 11:17.

[JHSingo]

Toto Wolff has been thinking about 2007. 

 

 

https://www.motorspo...-mind-/3195328/

 

Wonder how he manages to leave his house in a morning when he's as paranoid as that... 

 

If Mercedes conspired to throw this championship away (not that they will), it would represent quite possibly the biggest choke job in F1 history. 

[Pimpwerx]

https://www.autospor...n-mercedes-mind

 

You can't blame Toto for thinking this way.

 

To put it in the simplest terms, there are 100 points available and hamilton has a 67pt lead.

 

Two DNFs for Hamilton and two wins for Vettel then there's less than a 2nd place in it with two races to go.

 

It's highly unlikely but highly unlikely things tend to happen in F1 and 2007 was one of many:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just look at those freakin' tires. So many of us could see how bad they were live, and they still kept him out there. Bleeping clown show.

[CL16]

The clown show that still rolls on today, just at the back of the grid.

[TauriJ]

Forecasts have been changing day after day. 

 

Could be full wet weekend or dry with never arriving showers 

 

When did we even had a totally wet weekend?

[TheFish]

Forecasts have been changing day after day. 

 

Could be full wet weekend or dry with never arriving showers 

 

When did we even had a totally wet weekend?

 

This weekend in Sheffield was pretty wet.

 

In F1 related wetness, I can't even remember the last race when only wet/inters were used, Surely more recent than Canada 2011?

[SCUDmissile]

Toto is just spouting some nonsense as he is known to do

[TauriJ]

This weekend in Sheffield was pretty wet.

 

In F1 related wetness, I can't even remember the last race when only wet/inters were used, Surely more recent than Canada 2011?

Brazil 2016 I guess

 

But wet friday, saturday and sunday all together must had been ages ago

[Fatgadget]

Just look at those freakin' tires. So many of us could see how bad they were live, and they still kept him out there. Bleeping clown show.

That's McLaren for you!

[Kobasmashi]

This weekend in Sheffield was pretty wet.

In F1 related wetness, I can't even remember the last race when only wet/inters were used, Surely more recent than Canada 2011?

Brazil 2016 was wet throughout the race. If you're looking for a fully wet weekend I dunno if we've had that since Monza 2008 (or China 2009?).

[Tenmantaylor]

Just look at those freakin' tires. So many of us could see how bad they were live, and they still kept him out there. Bleeping clown show.

 

I was at the time too. Not sure if we ever got the full story but it seemed to me at the time Hamilton wanted to come in but they left him out based on laptimes/strategy and not 'eyeballing' it. Ridiculous. A lot of Lewis comments about strategy and tyres over the years have been influenced by this nightmare, the tone in his voice when he says "I don't like the feel of these tyres, guys" for e.g. Those mistakes live with you. 

 

Luckily for him he's more than made up for it since leaving McLaren 

 

What McLaren wouldn't give to be in those types of situations again. IE people caring about their pit strategy.

[SonGoku]

I am fine with Lewis winning his 5th title and matching Fangio in the three upcoming races. Such an achievement should be celebrated in front of a motorsport crowd not somewhere in the desert.

[AustinF1]

 

 

Ha! Lolwtf?

Edited by AustinF1, 15 October 2018 - 12:59.

[Jovanotti]

[AustinF1]

Currently weather forecast looks gray and cold (temperatures in between 11C and 20C). Showers are also likely.

 

Thanks, the F1 weather accounts I look at didn't have their forecasts up yet.

Yeah, it's not looking pretty. We've been watching this forecast since last week, and it's held pretty consistent. Big cold front hit late last night. Yesterday it was 90F and sunny. This morning it's 46F, windy, and pouring rain. Welcome to Texas.

 

[AustinF1]

OP

 

Track was super bumpy for the MotoGP lads, wonder how it will affect the F1 cars...

 

Yeah it's bumpy. It's already been an issue for an F1 team or two in a couple of races, with bumps making their electronics go wacky and even breaking a suspension part or two iirc. They shaved some of the bumps before MotoGP this year, with little effect according to the riders. Some said was still much worse than last year. Wewillsee. I've also driven out there this year & it's pretty freaking bumpy basically all over the place.

[Kobasmashi]

Yeah it's bumpy. It's already been an issue for an F1 team or two in a couple of races, with bumps making their electronics go wacky and even breaking a suspension part or two iirc. They shaved some of the bumps before MotoGP this year, with little effect according to the riders. Some said was still much worse than last year. Wewillsee. I've also driven out there this year & it's pretty freaking bumpy basically all over the place.

I hope this means we'll see the drivers fighting the car on the bumps. I miss the bumps at Singapore, Interlagos and the Monaco chicane.

[TomNokoe]

Hamilton could sit out the last 4 races and I still don't think Seb would win the WDC!

[bargeboard]

I was at the time too. Not sure if we ever got the full story but it seemed to me at the time Hamilton wanted to come in but they left him out based on laptimes/strategy and not 'eyeballing' it. Ridiculous. A lot of Lewis comments about strategy and tyres over the years have been influenced by this nightmare, the tone in his voice when he says "I don't like the feel of these tyres, guys" for e.g. Those mistakes live with you. 

 

Luckily for him he's more than made up for it since leaving McLaren 

 

What McLaren wouldn't give to be in those types of situations again. IE people caring about their pit strategy.

 

The Hamilton tire situation always felt a bit like the FIA had said to McLaren "Now remember, you will NOT win this championship".. And McLaren did as they were told..

[Kalmake]

Hamilton could sit out the last 4 races and I still don't think Seb would win the WDC!

Well, he has been calling for super weekends to spice things up.

[Jvr]

Aren't the teams going to run out of wet / intermediate tyres if it is wet whole weekend?

[Tenmantaylor]

Current weather is looking very UK in April! https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/4671654

[AustinF1]

FYI for any of you thinking of going, COTA said last Wednesday that they've sold all their reserved seats for the weekend. But there are still at least hundreds of seats available for Sunday and thousands for Friday and Saturday available through their app, their website, ticketmaster, and the F1 site if you decide to go that route. So yeah, that's weird. Not sure why they're saying it's a sellout.

 

Edited by AustinF1, 15 October 2018 - 14:37.

[Fatgadget]

https://www.autospor...n-mercedes-mind
 
You can't blame Toto for thinking this way.
 
To put it in the simplest terms, there are 100 points available and hamilton has a 67pt lead.
 
Two DNFs for Hamilton and two wins for Vettel then there's less than a 2nd place in it with two races to go.
 
It's highly unlikely but highly unlikely things tend to happen in F1 and 2007 was one of many:
 
[jcbc3: Lots of pretty pictures]

Nah. Not these days mate.
Reliability is a given. And mistakes a rare occurrence. And once the likes of Lewis get into a comfortable rhythm and Bono telling him what go on around . It's metronomic. And goodnight Vienna...Ditto with Vettel.

[Ellios]

Just look at those freakin' tires. So many of us could see how bad they were live, and they still kept him out there. Bleeping clown show.

 

Sorry for going off topic and we'll probably never know until his book is released, but I'm sure this made HAM stronger mentally and more resiliant to mistakes, to get through winning WDC years. I mean this one of the biggest *team* f-ups of all time.

 

*Needed to edit this in

Edited by Ellios, 15 October 2018 - 16:43.

[sportyskells]

Erm why are you talking weather forecasts this early as weather forecast can change. Its only Monday (and I have a issue on Saturday where I have to once aain record qulafying but this time due to me going out in the evening) 

[jonpollak]

Ill be in Austin..... (2 days AFTER the race)....
My life, cursed and charmed.
Jp

[AustinF1]

Erm why are you talking weather forecasts this early as weather forecast can change. Its only Monday (and I have a issue on Saturday where I have to once aain record qulafying but this time due to me going out in the evening) 

It's not that early. FP1 is in 4 days. When there's this much rain in the forecast all week, it's certainly worth discussing.

 

Edited by AustinF1, 15 October 2018 - 14:33.

[Fatgadget]

Toto is just spouting some nonsense as he is known to do

Sensible nonsense you mean!

[Fatgadget]

Sorry for going off topic and we'll probably never know until his book is released, but I'm sure this made HAM stronger mentally and more resiliant to mistakes, to get through winning WDC years. I mean this one of the biggest f-ups of all time.

He was a rookie FFS. What other Rookie has ever come that close to winning the WDC straight out of the box..Villenueve! OK!!

[NixxxoN]

Toto Wolff has been thinking about 2007.

 

https://www.motorspo...-mind-/3195328/

 

Wolff seems to use the fearmonger type of management. Warning this, warning that.

Pep Guardiola style, for anyone who follows football

[BuddyHolly]

Hamilton could sit out the last 4 races and I still don't think Seb would win the WDC!

I think you're right tbh haha, Not taking anything away from Lewis, he's been driving superb all season but Seb wow.. I've never seen anyone throw away a title challenge so convincingly. Mistake after mistake time and time again.  (although Ferrari have made their share of foul-ups too)

[Signori]

Aren't the teams going to run out of wet / intermediate tyres if it is wet whole weekend?

 

They won't, they just won't do any FP1, FP2 or FP3 if it rains

[Marklar]

 

Also, I don't go a bundle on stats, but for those of you who do like this sort of thing a lot...

 

 

Formula 1‏Verified account @F1 15h15 hours ago

More

Ayrton Senna is the only #F1 driver to win the same Grand Prix five years in a row 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 at Monaco @LewisHamilton won the #USGP in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Next Sunday, he can equal a record that has stood for a quarter of a century

 

That's it, fellas. The ultimate jinx

Actually kind of a shame that he didnt broke it in Silverstone (more so by not winning in 2013 than in 2018 though)

Edited by Marklar, 15 October 2018 - 15:16.