After the tight and twisting streets of Singapore, comes the wide open expanse of the Circuit of The Americas in Texas, USA. With a great spring race already under the belt for the weekend, all eyes fall on the main race to come.
Liam Lawson, Team RB. Image: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
COTA has been a good track for Verstappen in recent years with three wins under his belt at the Texan circuit. Norris is on a good run of form with the full support of his team behind him to bring a driver's championship back to McLaren for the first time in sixteen years.
Lando Norris, COTA 2024. Image: Formula One
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying in Austin. Image: Formula One
This qualifying result marks the Briton's worst of the season. He finished at just under a tenth of a second ahead of Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou, sealing a somewhat unexpected and embarrassing qualifying result. Hamilton is one of the best drivers to come from the back of the grid and pull a result out of the bag, the pressure is on but keep an eye on #44.
Outside of dropping the fastest lap point, the FIA approved a plan to double the number of free practice sessions that are reserved for young drivers. As of the 2025 season, every team up and down the grid will now have to run a rookie in a Friday first practice session on two weekends per car. They currently have to run just one session and most of the teams just use Abu Dhabi.
Max Verstappen, Circuit Of The Americas. Image: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
These changes all come with the plan of a rookie sprint race at Abu Dhabi's post-season test being called off for 2024. However, Formula One is set to re-evaluate the idea for 2025; deciding in due course.
The regulation change is due to take place at the beginning of next season. There are still six rounds this year the fastest lap will award a point for, so watch out for who is setting purple lap times by the end of the race. Once the 2025 season gets underway, there will not be
Liam Lawson arriving in Austin. Image: Formula One
The shocking grid penalty comes after the RB squad had to replace multiple power unit components. The New Zealander follows on from Daniel Ricciardo's allotment of power units, meaning that the team has to be very careful with what they can and cannot replace throughout the rest of the season.
Who are you supporting in this weekend's American Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments down below!
Liam Lawson, Team RB. Image: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Norris on pole for Austin
After a characteristic win in the sprint race, Lando Norris lines up in the first grid slot followed by championship rival Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Norris is still on a dominant charge to steal Verstappen's championship crown and the papaya team is on a mission to reclaim Red Bull's constructor title.COTA has been a good track for Verstappen in recent years with three wins under his belt at the Texan circuit. Norris is on a good run of form with the full support of his team behind him to bring a driver's championship back to McLaren for the first time in sixteen years.
Lando Norris, COTA 2024. Image: Formula One
Hamilton 'Demoralisied' after Q1 exit
The seven-time world champion failed to make it to Q2 after a pre-qualifying crash that was still causing his Mercedes issues. Damaged suspension components are being blamed as the catalyst for Hamilton's failed qualifying effort. Hamilton's 2024 struggles still do not appear to be at an end yet, how will he perform in Austin?Lewis Hamilton after qualifying in Austin. Image: Formula One
This qualifying result marks the Briton's worst of the season. He finished at just under a tenth of a second ahead of Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou, sealing a somewhat unexpected and embarrassing qualifying result. Hamilton is one of the best drivers to come from the back of the grid and pull a result out of the bag, the pressure is on but keep an eye on #44.
FIA to drop bonus point awarded for fastest lap
The FIA's controversial decision to ditch the singular fastest lap point, announced ahead of this weekend's US Grand Prix, comes after Daniel Ricciardo managed to claw the point away from current championship favourite, Lando Norris, in Singapore.Outside of dropping the fastest lap point, the FIA approved a plan to double the number of free practice sessions that are reserved for young drivers. As of the 2025 season, every team up and down the grid will now have to run a rookie in a Friday first practice session on two weekends per car. They currently have to run just one session and most of the teams just use Abu Dhabi.
Max Verstappen, Circuit Of The Americas. Image: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
These changes all come with the plan of a rookie sprint race at Abu Dhabi's post-season test being called off for 2024. However, Formula One is set to re-evaluate the idea for 2025; deciding in due course.
The regulation change is due to take place at the beginning of next season. There are still six rounds this year the fastest lap will award a point for, so watch out for who is setting purple lap times by the end of the race. Once the 2025 season gets underway, there will not be
Liam Lawson to receive 60-place grid penalty on full-time debut
The New Zealander fits nicely into RB’s full-time driver line-up. The squad is currently sat sixth in the constructors’ standings on 34 points, ahead of Haas with 31, Williams with 16 and the struggling Alpine with 13. But it is not the perfect full-time debut for Lawson.Liam Lawson arriving in Austin. Image: Formula One
The shocking grid penalty comes after the RB squad had to replace multiple power unit components. The New Zealander follows on from Daniel Ricciardo's allotment of power units, meaning that the team has to be very careful with what they can and cannot replace throughout the rest of the season.
Who are you supporting in this weekend's American Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments down below!
