F1 heads to Texas for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas after a dominant Lando Norris victory at the Singapore Grand Prix.
2024 United States Grand Prix
Sunday 20 October 2024 – 21:00
Circuit of the Americas
It’s back to North America we go as we trade in the glitz, glam and tack of Miami for the more traditional ruggedness of Texas.
With it being a sprint weekend, there are a plethora of points available and this race will undoubtedly have a massive impact on who ends up winning the Drivers’ Championship.
To Win Race Outright
Lando Norris 1/1 | Max Verstappen 9/2 | Oscar Piastri 5/1 | Charles LeClerc 13/2 | Carlos Sainz 16/1
Previous Race – Singapore
It’s been just under a month since we last had four-wheel racing action to look forward to and with the title race so tight, it certainly felt like a longer wait.
The two protagonists in the battle for the Drivers’ Championship were at the front of the field last time out with Lando Norris taking seven points off Max Verstappen out at Yas Marina. It was a dominant showing from the McLaren man who brought his car across the line some 20 seconds ahead of the reigning world champion. The duo were joined on the podium by Norris’ teammate, Oscar Piastri, whose solid drive ensured McLaren would take a 41-point lead over Red Bull on the Constructor’s standings.
George Russell and Charles LeClerc were next over the line with the pair providing some good racing but ultimately the ‘Brit would claim fourth by just over a second and a half. They were joined in the ‘Top 6’ by Russell’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton.
Carlos Sainz helped Ferrari close the gap on Red Bull in the Constructors stakes as he brought his car home in seventh ahead of former Ferrari man Fernando Alonso (eighth), Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and the hapless Sergio Perez (tenth).
What a battle we’ve seen between these two 💪
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 12, 2024
Who will be the one to come out on top? 🏆#F1 pic.twitter.com/UnKtAiQxYy
Track – Circuit of the Americas
The Circuit of the Americas is one of those tracks that really make for great viewing. The circuit itself isn’t really a standout for my money – it’s not the worst track design nor the best – but the acoustics the compound creates just seem to have something above other tracks,
Speaking of the compound, it’s a monstrous one that holds just under 120,000 spectators and sells out year on year. It’s quite the sight and is the only circuit that provides that sort of crazy atmosphere.
Sunday’s race will see the field cover 308.405 kilometres over fifty-six laps which contain twenty corners. The first corner, which starts a hairpin turn, is the track’s most infamous bend. While the corner itself is tricky to negotiate, it is made harder by the 40-metre climb that leads into the turn.
Another set of corners that will provide a challenge is the sequence between turns three to six; they’re inspired by the Maggots and Becketts sequence at Silverstone, and like their colonial cousins, they’re more than capable of catching drivers out.
Last year’s race was won by Red Bull with Max Verstappen with Lando Norris claiming second while Carlos Sainz took third.
In terms of the weather for this weekend, overcast skies are being forecast for the most part with temperatures in the mid-to-high 20’s.
Value Bet
Charles LeClerc – Podium Yes 17/20
Ferrari have grabbed third place at the last two United States Grand Prix with Carlos Sainz taking third last year and Charles LeClerc the year prior. LeClerc was on a four-podium finish run prior to Singapore and I’m backing him to return this coming weekend.
To Win Race Outright
Lando Norris 1/1
His car made a real impression on me out in Singapore and while this track is a different set-up to the Yas Marina, his McLaren seems to be far superior to what everyone else is running at the minute. It will be an intriguing battle between Verstappen and him this Sunday but I reckon he’ll come out on top here.
