Wednesday, 29 October 2014

The USA Grand Prix Forecast

The USA Grand Prix held at the circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas is now in it's third year as host of a formula 1 race.

It is one of the better modern circuits with the opening section reminiscent of Silverstone and Suzuka. It will have two DRS zones, one on the start finish straight and the other down the back straight where Lewis Hamilton memorably passed Sebastian Vettel for the lead after a race long duel that was one of the best races this century.

Pirelli are bringing the soft and medium compounds which they believe will offer a two stops over the 56 laps. The weather is forecast to be sunny all weekend with a bit of cloud for the race although it has the highest temperature of the weekend at 25C.

Well that's the formalities out of the way, now to the real issue striking the heart of Formula 1; what else could it be but money? Specifically the lack of it at Caterham and Marussia, both of which went into administration.

It wasn't unexpected with Caterham who have been experiencing problems since before the Russian Grand Prix, well since they were sold. But Marussia are a well run team, and on top of the Jules Bianchi accident a horrible blow to the squad.

Both teams will not participate in Austin leaving the grid at just 18 cars. This is the first time since 2005 F1 will have run with under 20 cars, it is to be hoped that both teams can return soon. Caterham at least hope to be back by Abu Dhabi while Marussia may be back in Brazil. You wouldn't bet your house on it though, or significantly less money.

It once again brings up the issue of how Formula 1 is run and exactly how it's £1.8billion income is split. Too much of it goes to Bernie Ecclestone and his paymasters CVC. The rest goes to the teams in a wholly unequal weighted pay scale.

There is no way that when the sport brings in nearly £2billion that teams should be struggling to survive. Bernie has often talked of his desire for three car teams if the grid drops below 20 but if that happens how long until your left two teams supplying ten cars each to customers as each back of the grid team goes bust? 

You lose the very essence of Formula 1 if you don't have teams building their own cars and competing against the best. Driver to driver, designer to designer, engineer to engineer, mechanic to mechanic investing in their package to make it the best. 

Formula 1 is currently working on an unsustainable platform, for many reasons, but chiefly the division of money and how much doesn't go to it's participants. This will be the major talking point of the US Grand Prix. Hopefully both teams will be back soon because you need those at the back to keep trying, it's part of F1 and gives opportunities to new talent. 

There is still a title battle as well. After three weeks break Nico Rosberg has to halt Hamilton's run of four wins. If Lewis succeeds this weekend then surely the battle for Rosberg is lost. He'll have to go some though, Lewis is awesome around here.

Williams and Red Bull will be the closest challengers. Vettel looks likely to have to take a sixth engine so may well miss qualifying as he'll have a grid penalty.

I expect Valttari Bottas to be very strong after his brilliant result last year. While I think Fernando Alonso has one more surprise left in him for Ferrari before he supposedly leaves. 

Alonso's 'where will he drive in 2015' saga carries on with even rumours of Audi joining in the fun. McLaren is still most likely so watch out for Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen to put in star drives as they battle to stay on the grid. 

Nico Hulkenberg has signed up for Force India in 2015, let's see if he can rediscover his early season form now he's secure.

I think Mercedes pairing are going to be close and certainly one of them will win. Rosberg will be desperate to make sure he stays in range of Lewis, while the rest still have lots to drive for with a surprise most likely to come from Bottas. It's going to be quite the race in the US of A.

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