formula 1 Motorsport

What time does qualifying for the 2022 F1 GP United States start?

Qualifying for the F1 GP of the United States begins at 00:00 on Sunday, October 23. Yes, because of the time difference with the US, qualifying and the race are actually on the same day for us in the Netherlands. It will be a later one, especially the second free practice and qualifying sessions starting at midnight. So make coffee and stay awake!

Pirelli had scheduled a tire test at Suzuka last weekend. That one could not take place due to the heavy rain there. This weekend, Pirelli is making another attempt. Also next weekend in Mexico, Pirelli will test the tires for the coming season. Hence the longer second free practice on the program.

Times of the F1 GP United States 2022

Look here for the schedule of all times of the 2022 F1 GP United States:

Date	Session	Dutch time
Friday, October 21	1st free practice	21.00 – 22.00
Saturday, October 22	2nd free practice	00.00 – 01.30
Saturday, October 22	3rd free practice	21.00 – 22.00
Sunday, October 23	Qualification	00.00 – 01.00
Sunday, October 23	Race	21.00 – 23.00

What happened during the 2021 GP of the United States?

The title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton made the 2021 race blood-curdlingly exciting. The Dutch Red Bull driver started from pole position, but saw Hamilton come alongside at the first corner. What followed became a tactical chess game on the edge of your seat.

Hamilton tried to open a gap to Verstappen, but Verstappen gave little ground. From third position, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez watched patiently. Hamilton’s Mercedes colleague Valtteri Bottas had dropped to ninth position and did not play a significant role. Behind the lead, we saw a battle between the Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz and McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Ricciardo emerged victorious, Sainz lost a few places.

Successful undercut

At the two series of pit stops, Red Bull managed to get Verstappen back on track ahead of Hamilton with an undercut . The roles were reversed: Verstappen was now defending a small lead, Hamilton was the hunter. With eight laps fresher tires than Verstappen, the Briton was soon able to open the attack on the Dutchman. With a little help from straggler Mick Schumacher, Verstappen was able to stay just out of DRS range of Hamilton in the final laps.

Because of the exciting jousting at the front, you would almost forget which drivers crossed the line behind them. Pérez barely stood out, but was just on the podium after a neat race. Behind him, Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, Yuki Tsunoda and Sebastian Vettel divided the remaining World Cup points in Austin.

What can we expect this time in Austin?

Max Verstappen secured the drivers’ title in Japan. What about the World Constructors’ Championship? At the United States Grand Prix, the decision could possibly be made.

In Japan, Red Bull scored its fifth one-two of the season. This puts the team on 619 World Cup points, with a generous 165-point lead over rival Ferrari. Ferrari can get down to business: Red Bull secures its first constructors’ title since 2013 in Austin if Ferrari does not score at least 19 World Cup points more than Red Bull next weekend.

What does this mean for upcoming race? Even if the Ferrari drivers seize places 1 and 2 as well as score the bonus point for the fastest race lap, Verstappen and Pérez can secure the constructors’ title with third and fourth places. If Ferrari does not score maximum, a win plus fastest lap for just Verstappen or Perez will suffice.

McLaren tests Indycar talent in Austin

New faces at McLaren: during the first free practice session in Austin, reigning Indycar champion Alex Palou takes over the wheel from Lando Norris. Mexican Indycar driver Pato O’Ward will also get a chance, but not until the first practice session in Abu Dhabi in November. He makes his first official meters in Daniel Ricciardo’s car. Thus McLaren fulfills its promise to give young talents a taste of the real thing during a Grand Prix weekend.

Weather forecasts F1 GP United States 2022

The weather forecast: sunny and warm. In Austin, the Texas winter sun shines, it remains dry and temperatures rise to over 30 degrees. Will the Pirelli’s hold up? We will have to wait and see.

What should you know about the track in Austin?

The Circuit of The Americas (COTA for short) in Austin has only been on the calendar since 2012. Still, many Formula One fans believe that this circuit – a design by the famous Hermann Tilke – should be counted among the modern classics. Until 2007, the American Grand Prix was held at the Indianapolis circuit for several years, but who actually remembers it?

Leading up to this year’s race, the final corner on the track was named after Mario Andretti. The American, world champion in 1978, had the honor of grand opening the new track in Austin ten years ago. The inaugural 2012 race was a triumph for Lewis Hamilton, his last win as a McLaren driver. Then he made his bold but oh-so-successful move to Mercedes.

Considerable elevation changes and long turnarounds make the Circuit of The Americas a challenging track. The steep climb toward the first turn offers drivers an ideal opportunity for an outbrake action. Some curve combinations are reminiscent of other famous circuits. For example, turns 3-6 seem derived from Maggotts/Becketts at Silverstone or the S-curves at Suzuka; turns 12-15 remind you of the stadium complex at Hockenheim.

Austin in facts and figures:

Official name: Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix 2022
Location: Austin, Texas, United States
Circuit length: 5.513 km
Number of laps: 56
Number of bends: 20
Total race distance: 308.405 km
Lap record: 1:36:169 Charles Leclerc (2019)

Wondering what a lap around the Circuit of The Americas looks like?