23/10/2016
NEWS STORY
It's understood that as many as 70,000 fans attended last night's concert featuring Taylor Swift at the circuit, the American songstress' only live gig of 2016.
One only has to check the picture galleries to see that there was nowhere near that many fans in the numerous stands around the circuit for the on-track action. Therefore one has to wonder if the United States can really support several races as new owners Liberty Media are pushing for.
Of course, some home grown talent would help, but according to Red Bull and Haas there isn't any, though - should he get the gig - Lance Stroll should attract some fans from over the border.
Sadly, based on the evidence thus far this weekend, Haas isn't looking likely to get the home fans celebrating, the US team enjoying the sort of home jinx that Honda suffered in Japan.
With a 33 point deficit to his teammate, Lewis Hamilton really is on the back foot for once. Indeed, Nico Rosberg can actually afford not to win today, the pressure being squarely on the Briton's shoulders.
That said, we've seen a new Nico of late and the latest version is not the sort to want to win a title by deem of another's issues or merely taking the points for second and third etc. So we can probably expect to see a decent battle between the pair today, we certainly hope so.
That's assuming, of course, that firstly Hamilton gets off the line with no problems and that if he does the pair don't tangle in that infamous first corner.
It's understood that in recent days the Briton, a three-time winner here, spent hours practicing his starts in the team simulator, though it's unclear if water was thrown at the device to replicate conditions on his side of the track in Japan.
To further complicate matters for the defending champion, it is unclear whether there are any lingering after effects following his fuel system change, a move which had his crew working throughout Friday night and of which Hamilton was blissfully unaware.
Despite the new crackdown on moving under braking in order to defend one's position, we can expect Max Verstappen's tactics to be as robust as ever, be it holding off a Ferrari, Mercedes or his own teammate. At the same time, on the attack we expect the Dutch driver to be as aggressive as ever.
In a move which will add some spice, particularly as the race develops, the two Red Bull drivers are on a different tyre strategy. Verstappen, like those around him, will start on the softs, while Ricciardo starts on the supers.
The move to split strategies was with the full agreement of the drivers and was adopted, in part, to put Mercedes in a difficult position, the German team, like Ferrari, having been forced to changed tactics by Red Bull's use of a similar strategy earlier this season.
That said, the supersofts are only likely to be good for around 10 or so laps. Bottas and Vettel did more in practice but conditions were cooler then and not on full fuel.
On the other hand the Mercedes duo can both expect to last for 20 plus laps on their softs but will they be drawn into the Ricciardo trap.
At Ferrari it's going to be another day of damage limitation, picking up whatever the team can. A win totally out of the question, the Maranello team can only really rely on the errors of others or poor reliability if it is to even secure a podium place.
Behind the two leading teams, and ahead of the pair fighting for fourth, the legendary outfit is in a proverbial no man's land and looks likely to remain there for some time.
Said fight for fourth between Force India and Williams is likely to be as fun as ever. Hulkenberg did well to finish ahead of the two Grove cars in qualifying, while it has now been revealed that Perez suffered a "technical issue" during qualifying "which cost him performance. The team claims the issue has now been resolved and the Mexican will be up for the fight.
Behind them we have McLaren and Toro Rosso, where Daniil Kvyat will probably want to signal the team that it made the right move in retaining him. Starting from twelfth, Fernando Alonso could be in for some points while Jenson Button was left extremely frustrated following a Q1 which saw him sent out late and in traffic, a 'misunderstanding' with Palmer not helping his demeanour, or that of the Renault driver as it happens.
While Renault, Sauber and Manor will be keen to get this afternoon, and the next three race afternoons, out of the way and hope that things get better in 2017, Haas will be determined to come away with something more to celebrate that Romain Grosjean's 100th Grand Prix. And who can blame them?
Historically, we know that this is not a race where pole position is vital for victory, with the right strategy, anything is possible. Two or three stops is expected depending on the tyre choice at the start, but somebody could decide to try something different.
The pitlane opens and among the first out is Hamilton. Air temperature is currently 26 degrees C, while the track temperature is 34 degrees.
On the grid, Sebastian Vettel gets a hug from Maurizio Arrivabene.
The field heads off on the warm-up lap, all are on softs bar Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Vettel, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Massa, Sainz, Perez, Grosjean and Button, while Nasr and Ocon are on mediums.
They're away. Hamilton gets away perfectly, with Rosberg slipping in behind to cover the Red Bull duo. As they head up the hill to T1 Ricciardo moves to the inside of Rosberg as Raikkonen is level with Verstappen.
Ricciardo gets ahead of Rosberg coming out of T1 and the German, who runs slightly wide, is unable to carry any momentum into T2 and fight back as Raikkonen also got the drop on Verstappen.
Further back a couple of cars have run wide and a piece of debris skates across the run-off.
"I've got big damage at the front" says Hulkenberg who clashed with the rear of Bottas in T1, whilst further round the lap Force India teammate Perez, who did well to avoid that T1 melee, has spun following a brush with Kvyat.
"I got hit from behind," says the Mexican, "what an idiot, what a ******* idiot".
In a bid to avoid the Hulkenberg incident both McLarens took full advantage of the run-off.
Bottas has a puncture and is down in 11th, he and Hulkenberg both pit at the end of the first lap, though the German's race seemingly over.
At the end of lap 1, it's Hamilton, Ricciardo, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Vettel, Massa, Sainz, Alonso and Gutierrez.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Austin, here.
Out front, Hamilton is settling a sizzling pace, he already has a 1.4s advantage over Ricciardo who is 2.4s clear of Rosberg.
Button makes a great move on Gutierrez to take tenth. The old boy still has it.
Raikkonen has Rosberg firmly in his sights, as Hamilton post another fastest lap (44.159).
The stewards are to investigate a first lap incident involving Nasr and Ocon.
Hulkenberg and Bottas are also under investigation.
Perez, following his horrible start, powers his way past Kvyat to take 13th.
In front of their home crowd, the Haas duo are running 11th and 12th. Indeed, the pair are battling one another for position, Grosjean on a real charge after his issues at the start.
Behind the Haas duo is the charging Perez. The Force India driver makes a great move on his countryman in T1 to take 12th.
The stewards are going to be busy, the Perez / Sainz incident is also under investigation.
Ricciardo pits after just 8 laps, as does Raikkonen. The rejoin in 8th and 10th on softs.
No further action to be taken in the Hulkenberg / Bottas incident.
"We're going for the long game, so push hard," Rosberg is told. "Pushing hard is not the long game," comes the reply.
Next time around, to everyone's surprise, Verstappen pits, the Dutch youngster rejoining in 10th. He makes short work on Button to take 9th.
Reacting to Red Bull, Rosberg pits while Hamilton, who looked likely to stop, stays out. Now on the mediums, Rosberg rejoins in 6th.
Ricciardo passes Sainz to take 4th, while Raikkonen is under pressure from Raikkonen.
Hamilton pits at the end of lap 11, as Rosberg goes quickest in S1 and Verstappen in S1. Hamilton switches to the softs. Massa, Sainz and Alonso also pit.
Consequently, after 11 laps, Vettel leads Hamilton by 6.2s but has still to stop. Ricciardo is third, ahead of Rosberg, Raikkonen, Verstappen, Massa, Kvyat, Gutierrez and Ericsson.
Lap 12 sees a new fastest lap from Verstappen (43.093), the Red Bull driver subsequently catching Raikkonen napping. The Finn fights back but to no avail.
Kvyat gets a 10s time penalty for causing a collection.
Rosberg is told that he is the only driver on mediums, that he's "playing the long game" and that the race will come back to him. He is currently 4th, 2.3s down on Ricciardo and 10.5s down on the race leader, Vettel... who pits.
Vettel rejoins in 6th, 7.5s down on his Ferrari teammate.
After 14 laps, all but Kvyat (8th), Ericsson (11th), Palmer, Nasr and Ocon have pitted.
Hampered by his time penalty, Kvyat allows teammate Sainz through to take 8th.
The leading nine are all on softs, bar Rosberg who is on the mediums.
Gutierrez runs wide in T11 following a massive lock-up. He continues very slowly suggesting he has a brake issue. He heads to the pits.
Verstappen closes on Rosberg, the end result surely only a matter of time, what with the Red Bull driver on softs.
As Hamilton asks if his pace is ok, it is, Gutierrez is pushed into his garage.
At the end of lap 17, Ericsson and Ocon both pit.
After 19 laps, Hamilton leads by 5.19s while Ricciardo is under pressure from Rosberg and Verstappen.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Austin, here.
"I'm not here to finish fourth," replies Verstappen, when told to ensure he finishes the stint... and not overdo it.
More frustration from Palmer as Button passes Kvyat to take tenth. Shortly after, Perez closes on the Russian who has still to stop. Told that his pace is better than his teammate's Palmer replies: "Yes, I've known that the entire race!"
Having been passed by Perez, Kvyat is now the target of Grosjean, no sooner does the Frenchman pass by than the Russian pits. Down in last (20th) Bottas also pits.
Switching to mediums, Kvyat also serves his 10s penalty, rejoining the race in 18th.
Surely not what he expected, Bottas is on the receiving end of blue flags as the leaders come up to lap him.
Nasr, the only driver still to stop, is passed by Magnussen as Palmer keeps a watching eye.
Raikkonen pits at the end of lap 24, thereby releasing his teammate. He sticks with the supersofts which will mean another stop.
Palmer passes Nasr with a bold move and is told to hunt down his Renault teammate.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 25, the Australian switching to the mediums. He rejoins in 5th ahead of Raikkonen.
Rosberg is now second, albeit 9.45s behind his teammate and championship rival.
Verstappen pits at the end of lap 26, however the team isn't ready for him. It's chaos in the Red Bull garage as the crew are caught totally unaware. "What happened Max," the driver is asked. "I'm sorry, I thought you'd boxed me" the youngster apologises. A brilliant recovery by the crew sees the Red Bull driver rejoin in in 7th.
Grosjean and Perez both pit at the end of lap 28, rejoining in 11th and 13th respectively. Magnussen also stops.
"Verstappen had a very long pit stop, so we can come ahead of him and go to the end," Vettel is told.
Button pits at the end of lap 28, as does Vettel, the German rejoining in fifth.
Verstappen has a problem, he is crawling. "I have an engine failure or something," he tells his team.
"There is something hitting the engine," says Verstappen who is still make his way back, "the faster I push the harder it hits."
Unable to make it back to the pits he pulls off track, thereby bringing out the VSC.
As the VSC lights flash, Sainz and Alonso take full advantage and pit, shortly after Hamilton follows suit as does Rosberg, both taking on the mediums.
A frustrated Rosberg overtakes countryman Wehrlein as they leave the pits.
Under the VSC, with 31 laps completed, Hamilton leads Rosberg, Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Vettel, Sainz, Massa, Alonso, Perez and Button.
"They got a free pit stop," says Ricciardo. "That is correct," comes the reply. Numerous expletives follow.
The VSC period ends, the race resumes.
"You can see Rosberg ahead, let's get after him," Ricciardo is told. The Australian is currently 3.370s down on the German.
Magnussen and Palmer battling hard for 14th and possibly an F1 drive in 2017.
"He's holding me up," complains Briton. "Can you not help me out a little here?"
"Is the wind picking up," ask Perez. He is told that it is. The Mexican is currently ninth, splitting the McLaren duo.
Rather than catching Rosberg, Ricciardo is now falling into the clutches of Raikkonen. Mind you, a real tank-slapper for the Finn costs him precious time.
Moments earlier, as he enjoyed a similar experience, Vettel was told: "We have some rear wing drop outs."
Verstappen is on the pit-wall watch the race unfold, obviously gutted that he's not part of it.
Raikkonen pits at the end of 38 however, as he leaves the pitlane and heads up the hill her grinds to a halt. His left-rear looks loose. As his crew look on in horror and frustration, the Finn rills back down the hill but there is nobody to assist him. A disaster for the Italian team and Raikkonen clearly isn't happy. Nor should he be.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Austin, here.
The Finn's retirement promotes Sainz to fifth, a superb result for the newly retained Spaniard.
Ferrari is under investigation for its unsafe release of Raikkonen.
To recap, Hamilton leads Rosberg by 9.5s, Ricciardo is 6.3s behind the German and 10.4s ahead of Vettel. Sainz is fifth, 41.2s down on the sole remaining Ferrari, ahead of Massa, Alonso, Perez, Button and Grosjean.
A big lock-up for Rosberg, as Ricciardo, somewhat colourfully, asks to be kept appraised of the German's progress.
Magnussen pits at the end of lap 44, the Dane rejoining on softs in 14th behind his Renault teammate.
Massa is told to up his pace, Williams believing he has the equipment to pass Sainz.
The Brazilian makes a move on the Toro Rosso at T1 but locks-up in the process. Behind the duelling pair waits Alonso, the Spaniard keen to benefit from any mishaps.
Massa is the meat in a Spanish sandwich as Alonso closes in.
Though 22s behind, Perez is advised of the battle ahead for 5th.
Positions now reversed, Magnussen, on his fresh rubber, is closing on Palmer.
Kvyat passes Ericsson for 12th in T1, a move which will have gone down well at Manor. A points finish for Sauber would be worth millions.
A nice bit of sarcasm from Button, Told of a blue flag as Rosberg closes in, the Briton replies that the German ran wide. "Do you want me to fall back to help him," he replies.
With 6 laps remaining, Hamilton's lead is down to 6.1s, while Ricciardo is 7.5s down on Rosberg.
Alonso passes Massa but not without a bit of argy-bargy, the Spaniard's frustration clearly getting the better of him. Fact is, Massa locked -up and Alonso took full advantage.
"Felipe closed the door, I was already alongside him," urges Alonso, just in case the stewards are listening.
Nonetheless, the incident will be investigated after the race.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 53 as Nasr and Bottas battle for 15th, the Brazilian making full use of his fresher rubber.
Another driver making the most of his new rubber is Magnussen, who passes Kvyat, albeit using some very questionable tactics.
Alonso is right up the tailpipe of Sainz as Massa is warned that he has a front-left puncture. The Brazilian pits and rejoins in 7th.
The Magnussen / Kvyat incident will be investigated after the race.
In his efforts to pass Sainz, Alonso runs wide. For corner after corner they battle, both locking-up here and there. Finally he's through. "Yee Haw," says the McLaren driver.
Hamilton takes the flag, ahead of Rosberg, Ricciardo and Vettel, who at least has the consolation of having posted the fastest lap (1:40.58). Alonso is fifth, providing the stewards agree that it was a racing incident, ahead of Sainz, Massa, Perez, Button and Grosjean.
Magnussen is eleventh, ahead of Kvyat, Palmer, Ericsson, Nasr, Bottas, Wehrlein and Ocon.
"Well done Lewis, you controlled the race from the start," Hamilton is told. Once out of his car, he celebrates with his crew before enjoying a polite handshake with his teammate.
The atmosphere in the ante-room isn't as frosty as we've become used to and Rosberg looks quite happy, and so he should, he still enjoys a 26 point advantage.
"This has always been good hunting ground for me," Hamilton tells the world as he stands atop the podium. "The team did a great job to put us both up there."
Advised that this is his 50th win, he grins and says: "I forgot that!"
"It was damage limitation today," adds Rosberg, "I wanted to win here in America but it wasn't to be." Asked if he was playing safe, he says "definitely not, I was pushing hard all the way to the end.
"The start went to plan, the plan was to get both Mercedes but we got Nico, which was a bonus," says Ricciardo. "Nico was able to jump me under the virtual safety car, so sorry about that."
And so to Mexico, where the locals are already preparing to party.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Austin, here.