R17 : United States – Preview

This weekend sees the penultimate round of the 2013 FF1M Season as the circus visits the Circuit of the Americas for the first time.

The 5.513 kilometre circuit, designed by Hermann Tilke, has been featured on the calendar before, but races there have either been cancelled or relocated due to a number of reasons.

The circuit finally hosted its first race as part of the 2013 Indycar Season earlier in the year and was won by New Zealander Scott Dixon driving for the MPR America team which is run by Pedersen boss Michael Pedersen. It will take an extraordinary turn of events if Michael is to see his team on the top step of the podium on Sunday as they havent scored a point since the opening round of the season in Melbourne.

Many circuits have hosted the United States Grand Prix over the years and the race will return to Road America for a second occasion next season. Rumours in the paddock have hinted that a second race in the United States could yet take place in 2014 if this weekends event is a success.

One classic United States Grand Prix came from the Indianapolis Road Course in 2004 which saw a superb recovery drive from Cristiano Da Matta and a last lap battle for the lead between Michael Schumacher in the Dodgem and Jarno Trulli in the FJR. Trulli would eventually go on to win the championship by 27 points.

This seasons championship is a lot closer with Romain Grosjean having a slender 6 point lead over Kimi Raikkonen with two races to go. Grosjean can mathematically win the championship this weekend if he scores 6 more points than Raikkonen as he has 5 wins to Kimi’s 3.

With 24 points on offer from the last two races both Jean-Eric Vergne and Sebastian Vettel could also still win the title but both would need big results over Grosjean and Raikkonen to stay in contention going into Interlagos.

Meanwhile in the Constructors Championship Tornado will clinch the title this weekend as long as Gojira don’t outscore them, with Tornado having accumulated 7 wins to Gojira’s 4.

Will we see a new champion crowned? The race will premiere on YouTube at 15:00 BST on Sunday 3rd May 2020. Tune in to find out.