United States Grand Prix »
Circuit of The Americas
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Formula One returns to the United States with a brand new circuit deep in the heart of Texas. Located just outside Austin, the circuit follows the European tradition of sculpting the track to the contours of the land. That results in a change in elevation of 41 metres, most significantly at Turn 1 where the track suddenly sweeps up at the end of the start-finish straight producing a blind turn-in that could be lively at the start of the race. Then there is the downhill, multiple-apex corner inspired by Istanbul's Turn 8 at the end of the lap, which will test the drivers' nerves.
New circuits bring some of the biggest challenges to the drivers and teams alike and the combination of a twisting outfield (12-15) modelled on Hockenheim's arena section, highspeed sweeping curves (3-9) replicating Silverstone's Maggotts-Becketts-Chapel sequence, and a back straight strecthing out to 1.2 km should give the teams a few headaches when it comes to set-up. However, the most memorable part of the circuit is likely to be that initial climb away from the grid.
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While the teams have all been provided with detailed information about the track layout, they will approach the new addition to the calendar faced with a number of uncertainties, most significantly the track surface which will be newly laid and offering poor grip in the early stages of the weekend at least with a large question mark hanging over the possibility of bumps.
The long straights require a good top-speed in order to fend off competitors but this has to be balanced against the grip needed in the medium and low-speed sections of the lap, meaning downforce is a compromise. Good stability through the high speed sweeping esses section where understeer or oversteer will prove particularly costly. This achieved through a combination of the aerodynamic balance and suspension settings. A set-up which gets the best from traction and grip, whilst allowing quick changes of
direction from the tyres, is also required.
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Overview
| Circuit Length: |
TBC |
| Race Length: |
TBC |
| Circuit Type: |
Permanent course |
| Direction: |
Anti-clockwise |
| Corners: |
20 (9 right-hand and
11 left-hand corners) |
| Elevation Change: |
Average |
| Run-off Area: |
TBC |
| Maximum G-Force: |
TBC |
| Joined Calendar: |
2012 |
| Lap Record: |
- |
| Av. Temperature: |
22°C |
| Typical Weather: |
Warm, sunny |
| Altitude: |
152 m AMSL |
| Official Website: |
External link |
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TBC