HomeFormula 1What to expect at the upcoming race at COTA

What to expect at the upcoming race at COTA

- Advertisement -

The Circuit of the Americas Track architect Hermann Tilke fused Formula 1’s best corners together to create this track. A challenging 5.514 km, 20-turn circuit in Austin, Texas and home of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix since its opening in 2012.

The design incorporates Silverstone’s legendary Maggots-Becketts-Chapel sequence, the famous Senna Esses of Interlagos, Hockenheim’s arena bends, and Istanbul’s Turn Eight.

- Advertisement -

It is a circuit designed with a deliberate widening of the corners to allow for more racing lines, and therefore more overtaking opportunities. This track has been a fan favourite since its inception.

The 1.01km long back straight after turn 11,grants the drivers the best opportunities to overtake into turn 12 or before, with the help of DRS. 

Overlooking the sport’s finest circuit is the 251-foot observation tower – the COTA Tower – that is the hallmark of Circuit of The Americas.

Title fight between Red Bull and McLaren

The COTA circuit has been an advantageous circuit for Red Bull in the last 3 years. Max Verstappen has won at the Austin track 3 years in a row now. Before him, Bottas won in 2019 and Kimi Raikkonen in 2018.

But, since Miami this season, McLaren have upgraded their car to make it a rocket ship. Max Verstappen has not won a race since Spain, whileLando Norris and Oscar Piastri have won 4 since Spain. McLaren have the upper hand in terms of pace and cornering speed.

Red Bull have finally started to address the problems with the RB20. In Singapore, the car’s performance was slightly better and Max said that he could finally attack the corners better. This has brought back confidence in Max and also a hope that he can still win the championship. 

Who can win?

The biggest determining factor will be Qualifying at COTA. If Lando Norris qualifies 1st as usual, then he has the biggest opportunity to win the race. Since, the McLaren is so fast, Norris can easily increase the gap between himself and second place, Norris will not have to worry about giving the DRS advantage to the driver behind. 

On the other hand, if Max manages to qualify on Pole, then his main goal would be to keep Norris behind him and the strategy team at Red Bull need to have a perfect strategy to help Max win. The RB20 is no match for the MCL38, for Max to win at Austin, the strategy and the driving have to be immaculate. 

Huge Championship points up for a grab

The United States GP also hosts a Sprint Race this year. There are a maximum of 8 points from the Sprint Race, 25 points from the main race and the fastest lap point, totalling to 34 points up for grabs. This race shall play a huge part in who will win the Championship this season. For Max Verstappen it’s all about defence and earning as many points as he can to save his lead from decreasing. 

For Lando Norris, the entire goal is to defeat his friend and rival, Max Verstappen. Lando Norris can only win if Max does not place 2nd when Lando wins. Lando needs Max to lose points in this race, he needs Max to come 3rd just once. If that happens, then Lando will have a fighting chance to win the championship. 

As the points currently stand, Max needs only to finish 2nd in all remaining races, including Sprint Races, for him to win the Championship albeit by a single point only. 

It is a crucial weekend and its the Circuit of The Americas. For fans its going to be one of the best races in Formula 1 this season. 

And for the drivers, especially Max and Lando, it is going to be a life changing race. A lot hinges on the outcome of this forthcoming race

- Advertisement -

15 Highly Educated Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is a game of passion and dedication. A sport in which one involves themselves in camps and practice since early childhood. Due to...

Why are more and more MotoGP riders using the Noson nasal dilator?

Introduction MotoGP riders or athletes are physically fit and healthy individuals and their muscles are continuously functioning and used during the performance. As a fan...

Do we often under-appreciate Andy Flower? What’s his legacy?

There's a hint of sadness in noting that Zimbabwe has never been a dominant power in world cricket. But nothing could be sadder than...

How Come UFC Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears But Boxers Don’t?

The UFC has come a long way since its early days, wherein the fights seemed like modern-day gladiators due to its brutality and inconsistent...

5 spinners who can be India’s potential finger-spinners

The Indian cricket team has always been proud of its ability to produce world-class batsmen and similarly potent spinners. Though in recent times, the...

IPL 2018: The beautiful Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Being seated in the Sawai Mansingh stadium brings a different world, a world of difference away from the palpable excitement of watching truly India’s...

Top 5 Left Wingers In The World, Based On 2019-20 Season

Owing to the fact that football has evolved a lot since its inception and the tactics have changed a lot, the role of wingers...

The astonishing decline of Mario Balotelli

There was a time when Mario Balotelli was on top of the world.  The Italian talisman had scored two goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals,...

What can be expected from the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Heat in the air and heat inside the car- that's been the story of the Azerbaijan Grand prix. As F1 parks itself at Baku...

How Suresh Raina Batted India Into The Finals of 2011 World Cup

Its been 9 years, since India won the Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on 2 April, 2011. The images and visuals of...

Age Fraud in Indian Cricket: Are players really to be blamed?

There have been times while watching a cricket match when we tend to hear commentators comment on cricketers’ age. We as fans have many...

Ajax XI if they didn’t sell their star players

Based in Amsterdam, AFC Ajax, who incidentally draw their name from the legendary Greek hero of the same name, are the most successful club...

IPL 2018: The best from the West Indies

When one of nature's treacherous attacks on mankind- earthquakes- strike, their impact is measured on Richter's scale. When West Indians strike in a tournament...

Big change for India Women’s cricket as BCCI looks to finalise bowling coach soon

We are not even at the halfway stage of the 2018 cricketing season. It clearly seems there's no stopping India's women's cricket team. The...

5 famous players to play for both Leeds United and Liverpool

Leeds United are back in the Premier League after 16 years and will play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday in their very first match...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -