Published By: Ritayan Basu
Last Updated: October 19, 2023, 07:42 IST
F1: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (AP)
Max Verstappen would be the man who takes the limelight on the Circuit of the Americas the place he’ll search to safe a hat-trick of successes and his fiftieth profession victory.
Max Verstappen will probably be racing for satisfaction, factors and information this weekend on the United States Grand Prix as his rivals compete for positional prize cash behind the newly-topped champion.
But within the first of 4 weekends’ racing within the Americas earlier than the season-nearer in Abu Dhabi, a lot consideration will probably be taken by politicking and preparations for 2024 with Ferrari and Mercedes striving to shut the hole behind the dominant Red Bull staff.
Verstappen, nonetheless, would be the man who takes the limelight on the Circuit of the Americas the place he’ll search to safe a hat-trick of successes and his fiftieth profession victory, having secured his third consecutive drivers’ title in Qatar.
That win was his 14th in 17 races this 12 months and would possibly, for one more driver in one other age, have signalled an opportunity to calm down, however not for the 26-12 months-previous Dutchman who is targeted on successful each contest.
“It could be quite hectic for us this weekend,” he stated, referring to a different Grand Prix embracing a Saturday devoted to a dash race.
“We will have only one session to try and find the optimum balance in the car and it looks as if we will have high temperatures again too.”
Verstappen might equal his 2022 document of 15 wins in a 12 months and shut the hole on 4-time world champions Alain Prost (51 wins) and Sebastian Vettel (53) within the all-time record for many race victories.
He and Red Bull know the chasing pack will probably be as eager to catch them as ever, notably as the game’s prize cash is just distributed to groups by way of their ending positions within the constructors’ championship and never by way of the drivers’ title race.
Mercedes, on 326 factors, will search to increase their 28-level benefit forward of Ferrari with sturdy performances to safe second place, whereas McLaren try to shut an 11-level hole on Aston Martin for fourth.
The distinction is price tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars}.
Piastri in type
McLaren’s Australian rookie Oscar Piastri received the Qatar dash and completed second in the principle race.
On his first look in Austin, he’ll search to keep up his private momentum whereas staff-mate Lando Norris will hope to mark his one hundredth begin with success.
Mercedes will probably be looking for to erase the frustration of Qatar, the place seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton collided with staff-mate George Russell.
Team boss Toto Wolff confirmed their vehicles could have an up to date flooring in Austin, hoping to regain sufficient race tempo to match McLaren.
“It will be the last significant update we will introduce this year,” stated Wolff, hinting that like most groups Mercedes’ consideration will then swap to 2024.
Wolff additionally seeks to paper over any perceived cracks showing within the relationship between his drivers.
The Texan weekend may also see Daniel Ricciardo return for Alpha Tauri after lacking 5 races since breaking his hand on the Dutch Grand Prix whereas the American-owned Haas staff is not going to solely convey a serious improve for his or her house occasion, however could preserve their opposition to fellow Americans Andretti’s bid to hitch the grid.
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
