Official 2023 United States Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

On the homeward stretch now, only 6 dead rubbers left to go.

Some interest remains though- how close can McLaren get to Red Bull? (who presumably stopped developing the RB19 months ago), can Piastri consistently beat Norris? (I think he can), will Ricciardo still be an inanely grinning disappointment? (yes he will).

It’s a Sprint Race weekend again (money talks). Channel 4 GP highlights are not very convenient unless you have insomnia.

Here’s to a great race. Again, poll is for 2nd.

Date(s): Friday 20 to Sunday 22 October 2023.

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Qualifying and race highlights are shown on Channel 4.





2022 Race Highlights:

https://youtu.be/kSSwICJXGaY?si=iJW4VG5eQfH51bGo

Live timing for all sessions available here:

https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html

Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:

https://www.fia.com/documents/championships/fia-fo...

Weather forecast (hot):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/4671654

Tyre options:

Medium range- C2-C4:



2022 Result :

Edited by Piginapoke on Saturday 14th October 07:45

[Sandpit Steve]

Ten-gallon hats and cowboy boots at the ready, and you’d better like your steak uncooked - it’s Texas Baby, YEE HAW!

More seriously, I actually like this race, there’s overtaking possibilities and it’s probably the best of all the ‘new’ Tilke tracks on the calendar. Much rather this place than Miami or Vegas.

[Derek Smith]

Thanks for that.

I've followed McL closely this season (and for many others) and I'm not sure Piastri is better than Norris. Last race, Norris was told not to challenge, despite coming from well down; 7th? This will irritate Norris, if he has any sense, and will want to establish his dominance. Could be a fun battle.

There's the question of whether Hamilton can get the better of Perez while keeping ahead of the old bloke. The Ferrari pair are close, although Sainz seems to be in favour at the moment, but you never know with Ferrari.

Incident-full race last time. It probably means this one might be a bit dull.

[CanAm]

Well its 50% each for Norris and Piastri so far. Nil for all the others!

[sidewinder500]

Changed that for you

[Diderot]

Derek Smith said:

Thanks for that.

I've followed McL closely this season (and for many others) and I'm not sure Piastri is better than Norris. Last race, Norris was told not to challenge, despite coming from well down; 7th? This will irritate Norris, if he has any sense, and will want to establish his dominance. Could be a fun battle.

There's the question of whether Hamilton can get the better of Perez while keeping ahead of the old bloke. The Ferrari pair are close, although Sainz seems to be in favour at the moment, but you never know with Ferrari.

Incident-full race last time. It probably means this one might be a bit dull.

I agree Derek. Lando was massively faster in Singapore and Japan, and last time out in Qatar, but was not allowed to overtake Piastri despite starting down in 10th.

[Derek Smith]

Diderot said:

I agree Derek. Lando was massively faster in Singapore and Japan, and last time out in Qatar, but was not allowed to overtake Piastri despite starting down in 10th.

Thanks for the reply.

Can you hear any ticking from the McL camp? This season isn't over, and now would be the time to establish a pecking order.

If I was Norris, I'd be a bit worried by this newbie snapping at my heels, but at least he's behind. It's clear Norris is faster, but that's at the moment. I'd hate for the McL challenge to be blunted by a domestic crisis. It's not the same as Hamilton and Alonso's internecine season. Hamilton was the equal of Alonso from the time he was released and neither driver was a team player. (Especially Alonso of course, but Dennis must have known that when he hired him.)

I like Piastri's driving. We've seen little of the old Norris, with his weird overtakes and commitment into corners, over recent races, although we've seen the occasional wonderous start (WTF did he come from is a frequent thought), and he might be forced to bring that talent back. Could be a fun battle to watch in the runout of the season.

I've been a McL supporter for yonks. There have been some challenging seasons, and the group of mates I watch F1 with have been stingy with their support. Now, though . . . Yippee!

[Sandpit Steve]

Diderot said:

I agree Derek. Lando was massively faster in Singapore and Japan, and last time out in Qatar, but was not allowed to overtake Piastri despite starting down in 10th.

Such a difficult situation for the team, finding themselves with serious performance late in the season, and with tens of millions in prize money at stake if they can beat AM and maybe even Ferrari in the championship. It’s always easier to tell the drivers to hold station and bring home the points, than to let them fight each other in the closing stages and risk an accident.

[CanAm]

sidewinder500 said:

Changed that for you

Well it was based on a sample of 2 votes!

[Piginapoke]

I agree that Norris has had the edge in races compared to Piastri over the season, but you can really see how Piastri is closing the gap fast in his first season, and learning the Pirelli f1 tyres. Norris is clearly a top line driver, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. I think Piastri is the real deal and will eventually win out.

[Derek Smith]

Piginapoke said:

I agree that Norris has had the edge in races compared to Piastri over the season, but you can really see how Piastri is closing the gap fast in his first season, and learning the Pirelli f1 tyres. Norris is clearly a top line driver, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. I think Piastri is the real deal and will eventually win out.

I agree to a significant extent, but the greats have always burst onto the scene and I don't think Piastri has quite done that. Mind you, it's going to be close between him and Norris. Exciting times for McL, and for the right reasons.

Let's hope he's not poached by Ferrari or Red Bull where he will suffer if he's not the new messiah.

[rdjohn]

Piginapoke said:

I agree that Norris has had the edge in races compared to Piastri over the season, but you can really see how Piastri is closing the gap fast in his first season, and learning the Pirelli f1 tyres. Norris is clearly a top line driver, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. I think Piastri is the real deal and will eventually win out.

I believe in the saying that nice guys don't win championships, and Lando is a very nice guy.

Oscar also comes across as a nice guy, but I think there is a steeliness about him that will make him the winner in the future. He may have scored his first podium in Japan, but he was bitterly disappointed with his performance against Lando, it hurt and it showed.

[Koln-RS]

McLaren now clearly have a front-running car, so difficult to tell to what extent it is flattering their drivers.
But, now that the Max/RB show is getting so boring, there is a lot more interest in the ‘also runners’, with the Merc v Ferrari v McLaren v (sometimes) Aston being quite entertaining.

Personally, think new boy Piastri is a real talent and will shake Norris up.

Predicting a result is anyone’s guess.

[Hub]

Max surely due some sort of technical issue/DNF, and Norris to get his first victory...

The race here is often really good, I don't like the timings though!

[PhilAsia]

Thanks PiaP!

st or Shinola? Max with a wafty win.

Hopefully some great racing for the second placing.

[mk1coopers]

Get ready for slow mo shots of DR in a cowboy outfit outside a BBQ establishment…intermingled with slow mo shots of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleading team…

Thanks for the thread PiaP, I hope McLaren are strong, LH normally goes well here too, 6 dead rubbers you say, I think it’s been a whole season of them

[Piginapoke]

mk1coopers said:

Get ready for slow mo shots of DR in a cowboy outfit outside a BBQ establishment…intermingled with slow mo shots of the Dallas Cowboy cheerleading team…

Thanks for the thread PiaP, I hope McLaren are strong, LH normally goes well here too, 6 dead rubbers you say, I think it’s been a whole season of them

Agree with all of that! But you missed out that DR will then finish 15th and talk about reevaluating his driving style again

[Pflanzgarten]

McLaren are merely best of the rest, that red bull is half a second a lap quicker when they want it to be.

[Derek Smith]

Pflanzgarten said:

McLaren are merely best of the rest, that red bull is half a second a lap quicker when they want it to be.

Merely, eh?

[suffolk009]

Anyone but Max. Just for some variety.