Phew, we’re glad that’s over… After a near month-long break from racing, we’re finally back, and what a race to return to. The US Grand Prix is always a highlight of the calendar, providing a lively atmosphere and unforgettable races.  

From the Circuit of the Americas’ iconic opening corner and many overtaking opportunities to Austin’s noisy fanbase, unpredictable weather and outstanding food and music scenes, there is so much to love about the current iteration of the US Grand Prix.  

And what’s better, this weekend in Austin, we’ll be turning out in chrome. Lando and Oscar are ready to dazzle in a second version of the fan-favourite livery, which will be run on the MCL38 in partnership with Google.

In our guide to this weekend, we’ll give you a tour of the track, explain some more F1 terminology and give you some tips on what to wear, as well as speaking with Lando, Oscar and Team Principal Andrea Stella.

“I love going to Austin. The vibe is always incredible, and I really enjoy racing there, especially with the cool Chrome livery we have this weekend. It’s a great race to start the final leg of the season after a few weeks off. It’s also a Sprint weekend, which means there are more points on the table.  

“I’ve spent some time back at the MTC in the sim preparing for the upcoming triple header. The next two months are going to be incredibly busy, but also exciting. I’m ready to get back in the car, so let’s show Texas what we can do.” 

“It’s great to be back racing after a short break. It was good to have a few weeks to recharge but also work with my engineers to prepare for the next few races. We’ve built up some incredible momentum now, so it’s just about continuing to consistently execute good results from our side. 

“I’m looking forward to heading back out to Austin. It’s a really cool place to go to with awesome fans and great food. The Sprint provides some good opportunities and we’re also carrying a Chrome livery which looks great. Let’s go and get another strong result for the team.” 

“After a busy few weeks back at the factory to consolidate and strengthen our Championship campaign, we now head to Austin for the first of two triple headers. We’re only six races away from the end of the season but there are still a lot of points on the table. Many teams will be bringing updates in these final races, so we expect some close competition, but as always, we keep our heads down, focus on ourselves and look to consistently deliver points in our quest for both titles.” 

Track insights

Just like it’s host city, the Circuit of the Americas has a lot going on.  

The first turn is among F1’s most beloved corners. A 133 foot climb uphill that overlooks almost the entire track, Turn 1 is a real challenge and a great overtaking opportunity. Arriving after the start/finish straight, the first corner is wide, can be taken at different angles, and allows for late braking, all of which make it a great spot for overtaking. However, it is followed by a steep decline, meaning it’s a bit of a blind corner.  

Turn 1 is unique, but some sections of the circuit take inspiration from other much-loved F1 tracks. Turns 3 to 6 - a high-speed section featuring rapid changes of direction - feel like a combination between Silverstone’s Maggots-Becketts-Chapel sequence and Suzuka’s S Curves, while Turns 12 to 15 are akin to Hockenheim's stadium section.  

The Hockenheim-inspired section also provides another overtaking opportunity, with cars having been bunched up at a hairpin and let loose down the track’s longest straight, before the heavy braking zone at Turn 12.  

Turns 16, 17 and 18 - a multi-apex right-hander - keep drivers close to one another and offer up another opportunity to overtake, meaning drivers get several bites of the cherry around the 5.513km lap. 

The season so far

It’s been a hot minute since the last race, but we shouldn’t imagine you’ve forgotten the Azerbaijan-Singapore double header. McLaren won both races, with Oscar triumphing on the streets of Baku and Lando under the lights of Marina Bay. The races saw us move up to first in the Constructors’ Championship and open up a 41 point advantage over second place, with six rounds remaining.   

F1 translations: Overcut and undercut

F1 is full of specialist slang and complicated jargon that can stump even the most avid of fans, which is why we’ll be explaining common F1 terminology ahead of each grand prix this season. This week, it’s dirty air.

You’ll often hear these terms used during a Grand Prix, but which one you hear depends on the circuit. Both an undercut and an overcut are racing strategies deployed by teams in an attempt to get their car ahead of the one it’s chasing during a pit-stop window.  

An undercut is best utilised at circuits where overtaking is difficult and degradation is high, such as Hungary or Singapore. An undercut is when a car pits before the one in front because the team believes that the speed gained by new tyres will allow the driver to shorten the gap to the car in front before they change their rubber, meaning they will fall behind when they go into the pits.  

An overcut, on the other hand, is most common at circuits where overtaking is difficult, but degradation is low, such as Monaco. An overcut is when a car pits after the one in front because the team believes that in clean air, they still have the speed and tyres to overtake the driver in the pits and then retain the position when they change their own tyres later on.  

F1 icebreaker

Stuck for conversation with your F1-loving friends? Spark up a discussion with our F1 icebreaker…

The US Grand Prix has taken place in six different venues (10 if you include non-championship rounds), with Austin hosting the US Grand Prix since 2012.

The fit: Ready to rodeo

Our rootin’-tootin’ US Grand Prix collection, of course! Dust off your cowboy boots and grab your finest workwear. Our Austin 24 T-shirt and hoodie go great with a pair of snug-fitting boot-cut LEVI jeans. You can then add a touch of US colour to your look with our red, white and blue New Era Austin cap.