Grand Prix 2012 United States Grand Prix Practice, Qualifying & Race Discussion

Yeehaw!
Saddle up and let's mosey on down to Texas for the penultimate round of the 2012 season.

(Okay, that's quite enough of that...)

If it wasn't for the fact that Red Bull and Vettel have all but tied both titles up, this would be one of the most exciting ends to a season for a while.

What we should have had is two or three drivers on approximately level points heading to an unknown circuit, which by all accounts looks like it's going to be a challenge for even the best drivers. Turn one in particular is a blind left at the crest of a hill, which could either make or break the race.
Instead, what we have is a dominant Red Bull who need just four points to take the Constructors' title and Sebastian Vettel who only needs to outscore Fernando Alonso by 15 points or more over the next two rounds to take the Drivers'.

The wheels have come off at McLaren with yet another retirement for Hamilton when leading comfortably at Abu Dhabi; this time due to a faulty fuel pump. McLaren have prosecuted a dreadful campaing this year; without doubt they should have been in a position to take both titles and instead they are unlikely to even be runners up in both.
Where did it all go wrong?

Renault scored their first victory of the season with Kimi Räikkönen. Apparently it was "nothing to jump around about" so we'll say no more.

Mercedes had another race to forget with both cars finishing outside the top 10. Again. One has to hope that this is not a precursor to next season's performance and the redesigned car will be a lot more competitive. They may be able to hang on to fifth in the Constructors' but that will be dependent on how many points the Sauber drivers squander, of which Pérez has been doing an admirable job since he signed for McLaren.

Force India and Williams are in their own private battle in both championships but the Force Indias are in the driving seat (thank you, I'm here all week) and look as if they will just have the edge.

Sadly, for another year, the three "new" teams still occupy all of the bottom places. Caterham had an opportunity during last week's race of attrition to jump Marussia into 10th place, which they currently hold thanks to Timo Glock's 12th place finish at Singapore, but Kovalainen was overtaken in the closing stages. The really sad part is I can't see this ever being any different; the step change in performance required to breach the gap just seems to be unattainable.

For those who haven't seen the circuit, this is the view from the start-finish straight to turn one:
austin-straight-jpg.5108


Here's an onboard lap:

Galahad's circuit write up is here: http://cliptheapex.com/pages/circuit-of-the-americas/

Burgers, weak beer and popcorn are available from the concession stands (OK, OK, I'll stop now :D)
 
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor-sports/ Quite easy to find on USA Today

http://stats.nypost.com/racing/front.asp?series=FORM1 Hidden away on the NY post - NASCAR the headline story

http://www.chicagotribune.com/enter...prix-austinbre8ah0ee-20121118,0,2585575.story 11th story on the Chicago Herald Tribune

http://www.statesman.com/ Front page of The Statesman (in Austin)

http://www.austinchronicle.com/blog...-states-grand-prix-roars-off-into-the-sunset/ 2nd lead in the Austin Chronicle

Other than USA Today, I don't think there is such a thing as a national newspaper in the US. Add to that the fact that NASCAR is more popular and you can see why it falls down the order - newspapers have to appeal to their readers. Unless a Brit wins the British GP I bet you dollars to donuts that football would be the main story on the back page of most national newspaper here.
 
Ok in response to USA's comments on our sport imposed in their country what about their sport in our country? How much publicity did the recent American Football matches at Wembley get?
 
A lot of people seem to be confusing websites with newspapers.

Feel free to tell Benson he's wrong though, I'm sure it won't be the first time...
 
No confusion on my part Mr B, just thought I'd have a look at the newspaper websites. I would assume the NY Times and Chicago Herald Tribune wouldn't have run the story given the importnace, or lack of importance, on their website.
 
I'm not fussed FB, I was just reporting what Benson said.
It's worth noting however that James Allen invited comments specifically from Americans prior to the GP asking them what the coverage was like in the media, and a significant number said they had seen almost nothing.

Just a shame for the sport if that's the case.
Especially after a race such as we just witnessed.
 
It might actually help to get Nicole to promote the race next year because of her relationship with Hamilton... sad but surely one of the sponsors will think about it next year if that is the case
 
If someone does that then I ain't watching it......

Hey its America where they oversell things and if that is what it will get crowds to go and also watch it on tv then its obvious some company (including Lewis management) will do something like that... even Bernie would do it
 
I had to Google that as I hadn't heard of it - apparently he used the same initials at Spa.
Some reports suggest it means "Hard as a Mother****er".

Whilst Googling, I found this though:

Pole sitter Sebastian Vettel also had to modify his special US-themed ‘wooden’ helmet livery in Austin, to remove the words ‘Gives you wings’ from the top.

Bernie Ecclestone forbids drivers or teams from advertising on the very top of the helmets, so as not to spoil the onboard camera view.


Who knew?

http://totalf1.com/full_story/view/...ld_to_modify_their_helmet_liveries_in_Austin/
 
Just got to watch the race and I was really impressed. I, as my posting history suggests, am not a fan of the majority of Tilke's tracks. However, Austin works! The racing was fast and furious. I'll reserve judgement, but we could have just seen the birth of a legendary track.
 
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