2013 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
Formula 1 returns to the United States for its second visit to the purpose-built Circuit Of The Americas, just outside Austin, Texas, which once more looks set to pose an interesting technical challenge to teams and drivers.
The circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, is one of five anti-clockwise tracks on the 2012 calendar. It has 20 turns (12 left-handers, 8 right) and an elevation change of 41 metres. The highest point on the lap is Turn One, which has a steep uphill approach mimicking the famous Turn One approach of the old Österreichring. The remainder of the lap is a mix of undulating sweeps, high-g corners and long straights. Downforce levels are expected to be similar to Silverstone’s, with a top speed of 315km/h.
Lewis Hamilton won the Austin Grand Prix in 2012 and the last grand prix on US soil before that, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in 2007.
The 2012 winner was Lewis Hamilton (Vodafone McLaren Mercedes) who completed the race in 1:35:55.269. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing-Renault) took the fastest lap of 1:39.347 with an average speed of 199.772.
McLaren at the United States Grand Prix : 11 Wins, 8 Poles and 10 Fastest laps.
Sebring, 1959 : Founder Bruce McLaren takes his first GP win in the 1959 season-finale, driving a Cooper-Climax. The 22-year-old passes world champion Jack Brabham in sight of the finish line to become F1’s youngest winner.
n 1976 (Watkins Glen), Hunt starts on pole for McLaren, but is beaten away from the line by Scheckter. The pair quickly build up a convincing lead, lapping at record pace but James takes lead on lap 46, coming home 8s ahead of Scheckter.
1977 (Watkins Glen) sees Hunt win the US GP East for the second consecutive year, starting from pole and winning by 2s from Mario Andretti.
In 1982 (Long Beach) Lauda wins the third race of his comeback with McLaren. He starts second and spends the early laps behind pole-sitter Andrea de Cesaris, before passing the Italian and dominating the rest of the race, finishing with a 14s lead.
1982 (Detroit), Niki and Watson qualify 10th and 17th respectively, but the MP4-1 is the car to beat in race trim. Watson is up to 13th on lap 7 and he takes the lead on lap 37. Lauda tries to make it a McLaren 1-2, but he crashes out.
1988 (Detroit), another McLaren victory. Senna takes his sixth consecutive pole position, ahead of team-mate Prost, and is never headed in the race. Alain has to work hard to make it a fourth one-two for McLaren in six races; He finishes 40s behind.
1989 (Phoenix) sees Senna takes pole for the first GP in Phoenix, ahead of Alain. In roasting hot conditions, the Brazilian takes the lead at the start of the race, before retiring with electronics trouble, leaving Alain to cruise to victory.
In 1991 (Phoenix), Ayrton kicks off his ’91 campaign with an emphatic victory. Using a Honda V12 engine for the first time, he takes a dominant pole position and is never challenged in the race. He comes home 16s ahead of Prost’s Ferrari.
2001 (Indianapolis) was the last victory of Hakkinen’s illustrious career. He drives a strong middle stint to come home 11s ahead of Michael Schumacher. Coulthard finishes third in the other MP4-16.
June 17 2007 (Indianapolis) saw Lewis's second victory in as many weekends. The race is a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes benefit: Lewis and Alonso lock out the front row, Lewis taking pole by 0.1s. They’re separated by just 1.5s at the flag.
