2021 United States Grand Prix News
With six races to go and still a lot to fight for, our title protagonists next lock horns at the United States Grand Prix in the Lone Star State of Texas. Let’s take a look at all the interesting numbers ahead of the race.
The United States Grand Prix first came into existence over a century ago in 1908 when it was called the ‘American Grand Prize’. The country was one of the seven to be included in the inaugural championship season in 1950, but with a slight twist in the form of the Indianapolis 500 that was run on different regulations. The 500 continued to be a regular fixture on the calendar over the years, however, it wasn’t until 1959 when the first-ever United States Grand Prix was held at Sebring. This week will witness the 42nd running of the Formula 1 event and the 71st time a championship race is hosted in the United States. Over the years, the country has hosted Formula 1 races in ten different venues, the most for a host country.
Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA) McLaren M23 - US Grand Prix, Watkins Glen, 6th October 1974 - Motorsport Images
A track that is popular with drivers and fans alike, the Circuit of the Americas or COTA is the only motorsport venue in the United States purpose-built for Formula 1. At a length of 5.513 km, it’s the second-longest Formula 1 circuit in the country after Sebring which is 8.369 km long. COTA is also one of the few anti-clockwise tracks on the 2021 calendar, alongside Imola, Baku, Istanbul, Interlagos, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi. Counter-clockwise circuits are often demanding on drivers’ bodies, particularly their necks, as they are more accustomed to venues that turn towards the right. But with the last event held at Turkey - another anti-clockwise track with large lateral g-forces - drivers would seem prepared for the task in Austin.
Built on undulating land, the circuit designers have recreated some of the most iconic corners in the sport while conceiving the COTA layout. Silverstone’s Maggots-Becketts-Chappel section, Suzuka’s S curves, Hockenheim’s stadium bends as well as Istanbul’s multi-apex corner are all present in this layout, thus providing a sense of déjà vu to drivers as they complete a lap. Yet the blind left-handed turn 1, also known as “Big Red,” happens to be its signature corner with a steep ascent of about 130 feet, equivalent to almost 40 Formula 1 cars stacked on top of each other.
Michael Schumacher, Ferrari F2003-GA, kicks up dust as he crosses the finish line and takes the chequered flag at the end of the race in 2003. - Motorsport Images
The track tends to widen in certain sections providing the option of multiple racing lines for drivers, in turn allowing for greater overtaking. COTA has witnessed an average of 36 overtakes each year, yet the biggest advantage lies with the fastest qualifiers. All the races at this particular venue have been won from the front row and the pole-sitter has never finished off the podium. Interestingly, the teams taking pole at COTA have eventually won the Constructors championship that year.
Considering the event has been around for several decades, it isn’t surprising to see some of the biggest names on their leaderboards. Ayrton Senna’s five poles on US soil is a record still to be matched, but Lewis Hamilton could do just that this weekend if he posts the fastest qualifying lap on Saturday. Hamilton also tops the list of COTA victors with five wins while Sebastian Vettel, Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas have all stood on the top step once in Austin. Raikkonen’s emphatic victory in 2018 helped Ferrari in becoming the most decorated constructor in the US with 13 race victories. In terms of engine suppliers, Ford Cosworth sit atop the heap with 14 poles and 20 wins stateside. It’ll take some doing from the current teams to offset the legendary brand’s record tally.
Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, United States of America. Sunday 18th November 2012. Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 1st position, arrives in Parc Ferme. - Motorsport Images
Since his debut in 2007, Hamilton is the only driver to have completed 100% of all racing laps in the US and has missed out on a podium spot only once, in 2013. Mercedes have been on pole in every hybrid era race at COTA and haven’t suffered a retirement here. Quite easy to say that Hamilton and Mercedes are the ones to beat this weekend. Although their rivals, Red Bull, have seven podiums in Austin, they’ve led just nine laps here in the turbo-hybrid era. That coupled with Mercedes’ recent pace advantage might mean a case of damage limitation for Red Bull who last won in Texas in 2013, while their engine supplier, Honda, last tasted success in the US with Ayrton Senna. If the Bulls can replicate their success from Turkey and register yet another double podium, they’ll become just the fifth team in history to record 200 podium finishes in Formula 1.
Stepping away from the championship battle, the fight for third place in the Constructors’ standings is also spicing up quite well with just 7.5 points separating McLaren and Ferrari. The latter have three front-row starts in the last three US races and have scored on every visit here. Elsewhere, Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly will be looking to get their first points in the United States. Interestingly, the United States Grand Prix is also one of the few events that have never had a red flag interruption.
Haas will be delighted to race in front of their home fans this weekend, a little booster for the squad who have been languishing at the back of the grid in 2021. It’ll also be a home race for the sport’s owners, Liberty Media, and a semi one for the Williams team, thanks to their US-based owners, Dorilton Capital, who acquired the team in 2020. Sadly the sport still lacks the presence of an American driver, who were once a constant till the 1989 season. Motorsport legend and former Formula 1 champion, Mario Andretti remains the only American to win on home soil, a feat he achieved at the 1977 United States Grand Prix West in Long Beach.
- Sundaram Ramaswami
Twitter/Instagram - @f1statsguru
