United States GP Preview: All attention on Red Bull
United States GP Preview: All attention on Red Bull
The Formula 1 Championship is returning to the United States for the second time. The first time was earlier this year when Miami made its debut. This time, however, F1 will be returning to Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Verstappen secured his second championship last week, but Red Bull still has a chance to win the constructors championship. So we’re all on pins and needles to see if they can pull it off amid the cost cap drama.
It’s going to be an exciting weekend—we can’t wait!
Can Red Bull secure the Constructors’?
Red Bull is close to winning the constructors’ championship. However, they must have at least 147 points on Ferrari by the checkered flag to win their first championship since 2013. The championship race will go to Mexico if Ferrari defeats Red Bull by at least 19 points.
Verstappen is considered the favourite in Texas, going for his second straight victory and his team’s eighth straight triumph.
Kimi Raikkonen won his last Grand Prix at COTA in 2018. Thus Ferrari is no stranger to success on this track. They might do that feat again, but maintaining front tyre wear and navigating Texas’ many obstacles will be crucial to maintaining pace.
Red Bull’s Cost Cap Breach
Recent reports speculate that Adrian Newey’s salary was the cause of Red Bull exceeding the 2021 spending cap. This follows the FIA’s admission that Red Bull exceeded the expense cap during the previous F1 season.
According to sources, this violation was only a “minor” expenditure of less than $7.25 million. But because the FIA has not provided any further information, fans have wondered where this excessive expenditure originated.
Where is Ferrari headed?
Verstappen won the Drivers’ title, and Red Bull will probably win the Constructors’ title. Therefore Ferrari appears to be focusing on getting ready as much as possible for 2023.
Maranello’s season evaluation will need to be in-depth since they could not live up to their early promise this season, which netted Leclerc two victories in the first three races.
It will be necessary for every area of the operation—technical, leadership, strategy, and drivers—to raise their hands and say they might have done better in 2022.
They are concentrating on this engine development as one area. Still, it is unclear if any staff adjustments will also be judged required.
Even one or two triumphs in the most recent four races will be of little comfort because so many chances to add to Ferrari’s four victories have been lost.
Leclerc and Perez fighting for second place
Even though Max Verstappen won his second drivers’ title in grand fashion in Suzuka, there is still a lot to play for as we return to the Circuit of The Americas.
The race for second place in the drivers’ standings is incredibly close, with four races left. Due to his second-place finish in Japan, Sergio Perez has reclaimed the lead over Charles Leclerc. However, they are only separated by one point in the race for vice-championship.
Although neither driver had it in mind earlier in the year, they will both want to finish as strongly as they could, and they were battling it out in each of the final two races.
