842 replies to this topic

[GoldenColt]

Howdy cowboys and cowgirls, F1 is back again! What, two races within one week? That's right!

 

 

 

Round 19 of the 2019 F1 World Championship is just around the corner and guess what: so is the end of the season. Was it really 7 1/2 months ago that Valtteri Bottas opened the season by winning the Australian Grand Prix in dominant fashion, prompting pundits to claim the arrival of a new Valtteri Bottas, version 2.0.? Was it really 7 1/2 months ago that Mercedes looked to be back to their days of complete and utter dominance with winter testing once again proving to be as inconclusive as it has often been in the past? Time flies and nowhere else does this phrase seem to be more fitting than in F1.

 

Championship Situation

 

With three more races to go, I'm getting an end of schoolyear-vibe about this season. Some of the drivers will remain where they are in the standings, but there are some battles for position between teams and drivers which could still get spicy:

 

Drivers' Championship

 

- the battle for P3 between Charles Leclerc, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen (see this thread: https://forums.autos...ax-verstappen/)

- the battle for P6 between Pierre Gasly (77 pts), Carlos Sainz (76) and Alexander Albon (74)

- the battle for P9 between Sergio Perez (43 pts), Daniel Ricciardo (38), Nico Hülkenberg (35), Lando Norris (35), Daniil Kvyat (34) and Kimi Raikkonen (31)

- the battle for P15 (I know, very important) between Lance Stroll (21 pts) and Kevin Magnussen (20)

 

Constructors' Championship

- the battle for P5 between Renault (73 pts), Scuderia Toro Rosso (64) and Racing Point (64)

- the battle for P8 between Alfa Romeo (35 pts) and HAAS (28)

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here by predicting that both Williams drivers will finish in the last two positions with the Williams team remaining at the very bottom of the WCC. You don't like me saying that? Well guess what...

 

 

However, the most important question regarding the championship is this one: can Lewis Hamilton clinch his 6th WDC this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas and repeat his triumph of 2015, when a crazy race saw the Briton retain his title and crown himself for the 3rd time in his career? Only time will tell, but things couldn't look much better for him as they do right now: if Bottas doesn't win any of the remaining races, it's Game Over. If Bottas wins in Austin, all Hamilton has to do is to finish in 8th place to secure the 2019 WDC, even if his finnish teammate scores the extra-point for the fastest lap. This looks to  be a done deal, ladies and gentlemen.

 

The Circuit

 

The Circuit of the Americas is the only purpose-build F1 circuit in the United States resembling some of the most legendary corners, like the esses in Suzuka (1st sector after T1), or T8 in Istanbul Park (last sector).

 

 

The Tyres

 

 

 

The History

 

Say what you want about this place, but it certainly provided entertaining races in the past. We all remember the race long duel between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton all the way back in 2012, or the crazy 2015 Grand Prix with all of the top drivers being all over the place for much of the race. Or how about last season when Kimi finally broke the curse of never winning for Ferrari since his comeback with a perfectly executed drive, fending off Lewis Hamilton on fresher tyres for just enough laps to stay in the lead and keep himself in the best possible position to win. Who could forget his face covered in all the emotions bottled up after years of getting close to winning a race and ultimately failing.

 

Kimi Raikkonen attempting to signal an emotional response to the crowd with one arm, the other arm firmly indicating a sense of "meh" and therefore not

pictured. If you look really closely, you can spot a failed attempt at a smirk.

 

Schedule and Weather

 

FP1: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm local time (17:00 pm - 18:30 pm CET)

FP2: 15:00 pm - 16:30 pm local time (21:00 pm - 22:30 pm CET)

FP3: 13:00 pm - 14:00 pm local time (19:00 pm - 20:00 pm CET)

Qualifying: 16:00 pm-17:00 pm local time (22:00 pm - 23:00 pm CET)

 

IMPORTANT!!!!

 

Daylight saving time ends in Texas between qualifying and the race. (Credit to ANF)

 

Race: 13:10 pm local time (20:10 pm CET)

 

 

 

 

 

Some footage to get you in the mood

 

2018 Pole Lap

 

 

2018 Race Highlights

 

 

Lewis v Vettel 2012

 

 

2005 aka the strangest start in F1 history

 

Edited by GoldenColt, 31 October 2019 - 05:47.

[pitlanepalpatine]

That's a bit of a Hamfisted pun in the title. 

[Marklar]

16 ° C maximum, winter testing was warmer than this

Edited by Marklar, 29 October 2019 - 16:37.

[Arundo]

Flying Friday to Austin, hope its a bit warmer not really want to bring too warm clothes as we drive to New Orleans and later Florida after the weekend. 

[MasterOfCoin]

How are the bumps this year?......

[AustinF1]

How are the bumps this year?......

Not getting any better.

[AustinF1]

Flying Friday to Austin, hope its a bit warmer not really want to bring too warm clothes as we drive to New Orleans and later Florida after the weekend. 

The weather's about the same in all 3.

[SonGoku]

Hamilton fans, it's party time! Let's see our man claiming his 6th title in the U-S-A!

[MasterOfCoin]

Not getting any better.

Oh dear....needs a resurfacing......

[Arundo]

The weather's about the same in all 3.

Not really, Miami 30, Austin 16-20, New Orleans same yes. After the weekend spending three weeks mostly in Florida and the Keys.

[AustinF1]

Oh dear....needs a resurfacing......

I think so... but I don't see that happening soon. Not until they get an F1 contract renewal at least imho, and maybe not even then at such a high price. Contract runs through 2021.

[AustinF1]

Not really, Miami 30, Austin 16-20, New Orleans same yes. After the weekend spending three weeks mostly in Florida and the Keys.

Yeah I see what you mean, in terms of just packing. I was just looking at it comparing the locations on like days. It'll be cool here while you're here. It'll be cool in Miami too. By the time you get to Miami, it'll actually be warmer here than it is there. Enjoy!

Edited by AustinF1, 29 October 2019 - 17:51.

[jstrains]

Will be a little bit sad weekend as Katja Heim passes away... RIP

http://www.circuitof...mber-katja-heim

[ArrowsLivery]

Oh dear....needs a resurfacing......

Disagree. We need more bumpy tracks on the calendar.

[SophieB]

Hats hats hats

GIF via SeventyFourBucks
 
 

 

[monolulu]

Am I missing something as those temps don’t seem right?

[GoldenColt]

Am I missing something as those temps don’t seem right?

Yeah, seems I got the info from the wrong site. Apologies for that.

 

EDIT: Found a different one which looks much warmer and sunnier. Now I'm confused.

Edited by GoldenColt, 29 October 2019 - 18:23.

[Goron3]

Am I missing something as those temps don’t seem right?

A huge cold front is expected. I'd expect to see quite a lot of graining if it stays like that.

[loki]

If Vettel hates the trophies so much they should give Henry repeating rifles for the podium ceremony.  That would be authentic local fare.

[monolulu]

Yeah, seems I got the info from the wrong site. Apologies for that.

 

EDIT: Found a different one which looks much warmer and sunnier. Now I'm confused.

Perhaps they were night temperatures? Otherwise I’ve packed the wrong clothes! 

[GoldenColt]

Perhaps they were night temperatures? Otherwise I’ve packed the wrong clothes! 

Could very well be! Sorry about any inconvenience I've caused.

 

EDIT: Looked at the screenshot again, they had clouds and sunshine under the "weather"-category. I doubt they'd do that for night. Strange.

Edited by GoldenColt, 29 October 2019 - 18:29.

[monolulu]

BBC says mid teens which is colder than usual

[Requiem84]

I used to be quite the Hamilton fan.

But for this weekend I kind of hope he draws the short straw, has a silly dnf and then has an awkward championship celebration because Bottas didn’t score enough points.

[MKSixer]

Leaving on Thursday to take my brother to his very first F1 race!!  He had a massive stroke several years ago and has wanted to do this very badly and he's now healthy enough to enjoy it fully. Lewis is his fav driver, as well, and my brother will watch him win cHAMpionship #6 at the first race he attends live.  Heady stuff.  

 

I've been on this track the more than any other and I have several hundred laps here.  Climbing to Turn 1 and doing the esses as well as the Turn 8 replica are my favorite areas of the track.  I can't wait to watch the pros here!!

 

Cheers-mk

[Hela]

I used to be quite the Hamilton fan.

But for this weekend I kind of hope he draws the short straw, has a silly dnf and then has an awkward championship celebration because Bottas didn’t score enough points.

 

Just wondering when you stopped being a Hamilton fan 

[Requiem84]

Just wondering when you stopped being a Hamilton fan

I started following him after he won the Marlboro Masters on Zandvoort. Became a fan after Turkey 2006 GP2. Cried for Interlagos 2008, defended him here in the VS thread with Button, even in 2011. Was mesmerized by his briliant 2012, rooted for him vs Rosberg.

But the last two years my fan feelings started to decline. Not sure why...

[Hela]

I started following him after he won the Marlboro Masters on Zandvoort. Became a fan after Turkey 2006 GP2. Cried for Interlagos 2008, defended him here in the VS thread with Button, even in 2011. Was mesmerized by his briliant 2012, rooted for him vs Rosberg.

But the last two years my fan feelings started to decline. Not sure why...

 

It's okay no need to beat yourself up....not everyone is perfect

[milestone 11]

But the last two years my fan feelings started to decline. Not sure why...

I think that I know why

[AustinF1]

Am I missing something as those temps don’t seem right?

 

Yeah, seems I got the info from the wrong site. Apologies for that.

 

EDIT: Found a different one which looks much warmer and sunnier. Now I'm confused.

 

A huge cold front is expected. I'd expect to see quite a lot of graining if it stays like that.

 

Perhaps they were night temperatures? Otherwise I’ve packed the wrong clothes! 

 

BBC says mid teens which is colder than usual

 

It's going to be a little cooler than usual for this time of year here, but not dramatically. It's mid 50s (12C) and raining off and on today, but it should actually be warmer and drier this weekend. Expect little chance of rain, cloudy to partly cloudy, lows between 40 (4C) and 50F (10C), and highs in the low to mid 60sF (15-19C).

Edited by AustinF1, 29 October 2019 - 19:30.

[milestone 11]

It's going to be a little cooler than usual for this time of year here, but not dramatically. It's mid 50s and raining off and on today, but it should actually be warmer and drier this weekend. Expect little chance of rain, lows between 40 and 50F, and highs in the low to mid 60sF.

In europe, only some pensioners understand those numbers.

[Marklar]

this was surprisingly amusing

Formula 1
@F1
·
20 Min.
Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen and Alex Albon are hitting Hollywood tomorrow!

So we asked them a few questions about the movies to get them in the mood... ⬇

Tune in to our livestream of the F1 Hollywood Festival on YouTube


https://twitter.com/...255583964098560

[AustinF1]

In europe, only some pensioners understand those numbers.

Ha! Lows 4 to 10. Highs 15 to 18 or 19. Edited the other post to help a little...

Edited by AustinF1, 29 October 2019 - 19:31.

[monolulu]

In europe, only some pensioners understand those numbers.

Oi leave us OAPs alone!

Edited by monolulu, 29 October 2019 - 19:33.

[AustinF1]

Oi leave us OAPs alone!

"Old-Ass Pensioners", I presume? I'll be one of those soon! Looking forward to it very much...

[djparky]

Oh dear....needs a resurfacing......

No...leave the bumps in the track, gives it some character rather than being billiard table smooth

[milestone 11]

Ha! Lows 4 to 10. Highs 15 to 18 or 19. Edited the other post to help a little...

Didn't bother me, it's what I learned first.

[milestone 11]

Oi leave us OAPs alone!

Hey teacher, leave us kids alone, I am one.

Edited by milestone 11, 31 October 2019 - 11:36.

[TomNokoe]

Friday morning (3am-8am) is forecast for sub-zero temps - big coat weather!

FP1 will be chilly.

[Atreiu]

Nice pun. Cheers.

[jonpollak]

Will be a little bit sad weekend as Katja Heim passes away... RIP
http://www.circuitof...mber-katja-heim

Very sad for me as Katja was my go to person in the 90’s.
I’d call her up and ask how many passes can (insert rock star name here ) get for race day... Then she would always say. “Darling,... I just love ( insert rock star name here).. how’s 3 then and one for yourself maybe?”

Saw her briefly when Steely Dan played the 360 back in 2015.
She will be missed ...
Jp

[RedFlag]

this was surprisingly amusing

Formula 1
@F1
·
20 Min.
Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen and Alex Albon are hitting Hollywood tomorrow!

So we asked them a few questions about the movies to get them in the mood... ⬇

Tune in to our livestream of the F1 Hollywood Festival on YouTube


https://twitter.com/...255583964098560

 

The Terminator is the worst film Valtteri Bottas has ever seen.  That must be some elite movie watching right there.

Edited by RedFlag, 29 October 2019 - 22:56.

[Boxerevo]

The time has come.

 

The time for six.

[search]

No...leave the bumps in the track, gives it some character rather than being billiard table smooth

they tried to ground them down, but the MotoGP guys said it made it even worse.

 

For them it's probably even more of a problem, so I guess waiting for the bumps to get bigger ever year isn't really an option as well

[davidlan]

I get to watch 2 races in a row, yah!!!!!!!!!!

 

I cut the cable some 3-4 years ago but do still have an old style antenna on the large 4k flat screen, well guess what 

you can get ABC, NBC etc.

So no Internet viewing this weekend, time to pour a cold one and plonk in front of the tube and watch Lewis win another

WDC.

 

Dave

[eibyyz]

Sad news:  The Steak 'n Shake in Round Rock closed.  :-(

[MKSixer]

Sad news:  The Steak 'n Shake in Round Rock closed.  :-(

 

Hitting Mueller's at some point.  My brother recommended LaBarbeque!

[tom]

Anyone else here think Verstappen can win this?
He was quick last year and 2nd, right behind Kimi.
Im just wondering if the cooler temps her may suit merc more?

[AustinF1]

You know, just once I'd like to see F1 have the Austin race on like August 20th when it's actually hot, just to see how they'd deal with the tires melting off the car and the myriad other problems that would no doubt arise. Yeah, I know that it's completely unfeasible and I'd probably spontaneously combust just trying to watch it, but it sure would be interesting.

Edited by AustinF1, 30 October 2019 - 17:36.

[teejay]

Have ticket sales been affected with the back to back?

[AustinF1]

Have ticket sales been affected with the back to back?

IDK, but it seems like there's maybe a bit of a bump this year. My neighbor who attended Mexico City said he met lots of people who were attending both Mexico and Austin, and saw lots of them in full F1 gear in the airports and on his flight back.