Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: US GP

  • Austin Tyre Allocation

    The tyre allocation for Austin has been chosen and the middle of the compounds have been nominated: C2 (Hard), C3 (Medium), C4 (Soft).

    The teams will need to be careful of the uneven track surface, as they may need to run a higher ride height – so studying the data carefully is key to find the best set-up.

    The 2021 United States Grand Prix, was a two-stopper but with a completely new range of tyres, it may be a different story – thanks to the new regulations, different weather conditions and other variables on track.

    As was the case in Japan, the second free practice session has been extended to 90 minutes to test the 2023 slick tyre prototypes, to help fine-tune the compounds for next season.

    The entire FP2 session will be devoted to the tyre test with Pirelli setting the run plan. If teams are running a rookie in FP1, it is allowed to run its own programme for some of FP2, before concentrating on the tyre test for the remainder of the session.

    The Circuit of The Americas is a balanced layout when it comes to the demands placed on cars and tyres in terms of traction, braking and lateral loads, but it’s mainly a flowing track that the drivers love, which nonetheless presents some challenging sections that shouldn’t be underestimated. The track was partially re-asphalted in 2020, with a ‘milling’ process also taking place last year to shave off the worst of the bumps that oblige teams to raise the ride height, which affects aerodynamics. In the first free practice session, there could be a high degree of track evolution so it’s going to be vital for the teams to maximise the data collected during FP3 to define the best strategy. The second free practice session will be dedicated to slick tyre testing for 2023, weather permitting. Weather conditions in Austin have been extremely variable in the past, so it’s a circuit where you have to be ready for anything!

    Mario Isla, Motorsport Director.

  • Palou and O’Ward FP1 runs

    IndyCar drivers, Alex Palou and Pato O’Ward are set to make their Formula 1 race debuts this season, when they run in the first practice sessions for McLaren.

    Both drivers have previously driven last year’s McLaren car in private tests, but are now getting a taste of current F1 machinery in a Grand Prix weekend environment, as McLaren look to fulfil their two young drivers practice runs.

    The 2021 IndyCar Champion – Palou will be taking over Daniel Ricciardo’s car for FP1 at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix at Austin.

    Meanwhile, Arrow McLaren SP driver, Pato O’Ward will be taking the wheel of Lando Norris’ MCL36 in first practice at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

    I’m so excited to be making my F1 weekend debut. It’s great to be driving in the United States in front of fans that may have seen me race in IndyCar. Having driven the 2021 McLaren MCL35M in a few tests now, I can’t wait to put the MCL36 through its paces. I look forward to helping the team in their preparation for the 2022 United States Grand Prix.

    Alex Palou on driving for McLaren.

    I can’t wait to get out on track in Abu Dhabi. I’ve developed as a driver and had a lot of fun testing last year’s car with the team, so it will be a great experience to drive the MCL36. Thank you McLaren F1 for the opportunity.

    Pato O’Ward on driving for McLaren.

    We’re pleased to give Alex and Pato the opportunity to take part in Free Practice sessions with McLaren. With Alex’s great successes in IndyCar, it will be useful for the team to get his feedback on the car and for us to continue to evaluate him as a driver. Alex and Pato impressed with their recent tests in Barcelona and Austria and we’re excited to offer them the experience in the MCL36. It’s a great chance for them to showcase their skills on Formula One’s global stage, where the focus will be to help the team prepare for the race weekend and not on ultimate lap times.

    Andreas Seidl, McLaren Boss.
    https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjse7paI8z6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Round 17- Austin Race

    WHAT. A. RACE! Wow… Max Verstappen WINS the US Grand Prix!! No-one knew how this race was going to go, but it did not disappoint!

    The battle between Max and Lewis was something else, first Lewis taking the lead and then the possibility of Red Bull stopping early but it seemed that Max looked after his tyres really really well! Both drivers drove amazing and definitely put on a show…

    The top 10 are- P1: Verstappen, P2: Hamilton, P3: Perez, P4: Leclerc, P5: Ricciardo, P6: Bottas, P7: Sainz, P8: Norris, P9: Tsunoda and P10: Vettel. Fastest lap goes to Hamilton.

    The battles between McLaren and Ferrari this race was something else! It seemed like Leclerc just wanted to get away and he did! He didn’t really have many battles in the race but he fully deserved the 4th position!

    At one point, Alonso was providing us with the battles and when they eventually stopped we had Alpine and the FIA communicating about the second one and how it was not fair etc.

    Personally, I feel like Bottas didn’t do much. In his first stint I felt like it took a while for his tyres to kick in and then afterwards the gap was too big to other drivers and the only way he went up the grid was due to pit stops.

    We sadly had 3 retirements this race, first up being Pierre Gasly, and then both Alpine’s for different reasons.

    The championship…

    So Max now has a 12 point lead over Lewis, but things can change very quickly… Perez is now into P4 but only by one point so Lando will be looking to get back into that spot.

    The gap between Mercedes and Red Bull is only 23 points, so having Perez be in P3 for race really boosted them up higher!

    Now onto the next! Only 5 remaining now and the next time we are back we have a triple header…

    We’re starting in Mexico on the weekend of the 5th November, who will come out on top?

  • Round 17- Austin Quali

    Well well well… we have Max Verstappen starting on pole position for tomorrow’s race! With Lewis Hamilton lining up next to him on the grid.

    This is the 7th time the championship pair have been in the front row together this season… Who will come out on top after the first lap?

    The top 10 is as follows: P1: Verstappen, P2: Hamilton, P3: Perez, P4: Bottas, P5: Leclerc, P6: Sainz, P7: Ricciardo, P8: Norris, P9: Gasly and P10: Tsunoda. Bottas will be starting P9, so Leclerc to Gasly all move up a place for tomorrow’s race!

    It’s good to see Tsunoda in Q3 for the second race weekend in a row! Could this be down to Alex Albon coaching him? This will really benefit Alpha Tauri with the constructors if he is able to score good points in these last few races…

    Both McLaren and Ferrari in top 10! I feel like whatever team comes on top tomorrow is due to strategy with when to pit. A downfall on Ferrari is that they have Sainz starting on the soft tyre which will see some degrading quite quickly compared to other tyres.

    Some drivers have a penalty for the race, which will see them start at the back of the grid: Russell, Alonso and Vettel. Bottas has a five place grid penalty…

    Predictions for tomorrow:

    My top five predictions are- P1: Hamilton, P2: Verstappen, P3: Leclerc, P4: Perez and P5: Norris.

    I think Charles can do really well tomorrow, he finished P4 here in 2019 and he seems to have a lot of pace and confidence in his Ferrari today.

    Times-

    The times for tomorrow’s race is as follows: 20:00pm (BST), 21:00pm (CEST).

  • United States GP

    After a two year absence we are now back in the US and at the Circuit of the Americas. All eyes are looking at who will come out on top… Could Mercedes be dominant like last time out? Or will Red Bull be looking to bring their success on from Turkey?

    Who needs a good weekend?

    I feel like Sebastian needs a good weekend after what happened in Turkey, with going onto Mediums, hopefully the team and Seb can get good points to carry on the fight with Alpha Tauri as Aston Martin are currently sat behind them by 31 points in 7th…

    I think that Daniel will want to put on a show this weekend, not only because he loves the US but to make up for Turkey. Hopefully we see a masterclass from him this weekend.

    I’m quite looking forward to seeing what Yuki does, it’s a new track for him so either he will get the hang of it quickly or he will not have a good weekend and Alpha Tauri doesn’t need that if they want to fight Alpine for these final 6 races.

    Predictions for Qualifying-

    My top five predictions are- P1: Hamilton, P2: Verstappen, P3: Bottas, P4: Norris and P5: Leclerc. (Before penalties applied)

    I’m hoping we see both Williams in top 10 but if we don’t I’m hoping at least one! We see the pace on the Williams in qualifying and it’s no longer a one off when they get into Q3.

    I hope we see Mick get into Q2 again, he is constantly tries to get everything out of the Haas and it feels like his finally getting some recognition for doing so!

    Times for the weekend-

    Friday 22nd- FP1: 17:30pm – 18:30pm (BST), 18:30pm – 19:30pm (CEST). FP2: 21:00pm – 22:00pm (BST), 22:00pm – 23:00pm (CEST).

    Saturday 23rd- FP3: 19:00pm – 20:00pm (BST), 20:00pm – 21:00pm (CEST). Qualifying: 22:00pm – 23:00pm (BST), 23:00pm – 00:00am (CEST).

    Sunday 24th- 20:00pm (BST), 21:00pm (CEST).

  • Tyres for Austin

    We have F1 back on our screens this weekend and this means that Pirelli have announced their tyres for the weekend…

    The chosen ones are the middle of the compound C2 (Hard), C3 (Medium) and C4 (Soft). This nomination is the same as what it was two years ago when we last was at the track.

    At this time of year in Texas, the weather is quite unpredictable, with the chosen compounds they should be quite adaptable to a variety of temperatures, although this years race is being held earlier in the season compared to last time.

    The circuit has been resurfaced in a few places starting with the start/finish straight (including the pit lane exit) to the end of Turn 1. The exit of Turn 9 through to Turn 10, the exit of Turn 11 through to 12 and then Turn 15 through to Turn 19.

    The winning strategy back in 2019 was a two stopper medium-hard-medium from Valtteri Bottas, where as his team-mate Lewis finished second on a one stop medium-hard.

    With the track only being resurfaced last year and not much track action either, the track on Friday will be lowest grip, however with having Formula 4 and also W series so by Saturday we should have more rubber laid down.