2024 United States Grand Prix: Fast Facts

This year’s United States Grand Prix, the first leg of an all-American triple-header, also sees changes to the track at COTA (the Circuit of the Americas) as much of it has been resurfaced, completing the work begun two years ago. This includes the sections between turns 9 and 12 and 16 and 3, which thus includes the two longest straights where DRS can be used.

The abrasiveness of the track could therefore have changed since last year, given that a new layer of bitumen is usually smoother than an old track surface. This adds to the importance of acquiring as much data as possible during the one and only hour of free practice, early on Friday afternoon as the Sprint format returns for the Austin weekend.

Other changes include the use of fake gravel for the run-off areas at some corners, as already seen at other tracks, Zandvoort for example. This has been done to alleviate the controversy that can arise over exceeding track limits, without the problem of real gravel being thrown onto the track. The new surface should also have dealt with the problem of the small bumps that have developed on the racing line at some points over the years, which made life hard for the drivers and upset the car’s handling.

The dry weather compounds chosen are the same as those used for the past two editions of the Austin round, namely the C2 as Hard, the C3 as Medium and the C4 as Soft. COTA really does have a bit of everything, partly because the track designed by Hermann Tilke takes its inspiration from some of the most demanding and much loved tracks such as Silverstone and Suzuka (turns 3 to 6), Hockenheim (a sort of Motodrom from 12 to 15) and the section from 16 to 18, which owes something to the never-ending turn 8 at Istanbul’s Otopark. However, Austin’s stand-out feature is the steep climb off the line to the first corner, which is very wide and therefore sees drivers taking a variety of lines through it, which always makes for spectacular viewing.

In terms of the forces exerted on the tyres, the loads at COTA are fairly evenly distributed between the front and rear axles and are more lateral than vertical. Usually, degradation is thermal and is therefore linked to the ambient temperature which in Texas in October can fluctuate considerably from one day to the next. In terms of strategy, one will need to wait and see how this might be affected by the new surface, keeping in mind that Saturday’s Sprint should provide plenty of useful data. In last year’s short race, the Medium was chosen by the majority of drivers, although some risked using the Soft, which was then only used in the final stages of the following day’s Grand Prix in an attempt to secure the additional point for setting the fastest race lap. Normally, a two-stop has always been the quickest here, especially as a one-stop involves a lot of careful degradation management, to the obvious detriment of performance. In 2023, the most used compound was the C3, which was more effective than the C2 and now it will be interesting to see if the new asphalt could bring the Hard back into play.

Austin is the second of three races this season in the USA, following on from Miami and preceding Las Vegas. It seems that Formula 1 has finally found its way into the psyche of the star-spangled fans, even if there were three races back in 1983, in Long Beach, Detroit and Las Vegas. In fact, the USA sits fourth on the list of countries that have hosted the most races with 77, although that includes 11 Indianapolis 500 races that counted towards the Drivers’ World Championship from 1950 to 1960. Heading this list are Great Britain and Germany on 79 apiece and Italy on 107. There have been eleven venues for the USA GP: Austin (11), Dallas (1), Detroit (7), Indianapolis (19), Las Vegas (3), Long Beach (8), Miami (3), Phoenix (3), Riverside (1), Sebring (1) and Watkins Glen (20).  An unusual statistic: the two drivers with the most USA Grands Prix will be on track this weekend, as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both have six wins to their name. As for the teams, here too there are joint leaders, with Ferrari and McLaren both on 13. Will this weekend see a clear leader emerge?

How to Watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix

Formula 1 fans around the globe can catch all the action from the Singapore Grand Prix through various broadcasters and streaming services.

In the United Kingdom, viewers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with comprehensive coverage of the practice sessions, qualifying, and the race itself.

For fans in the United States, the Dutch Grand Prix will be available through ESPN and its associated channels. ESPN offers extensive coverage of F1, including live broadcasts and replays. Cord-cutters can also stream the race live through various over-the-top (OTT) services that carry ESPN channels.

Viewers in Australia can tune in to watch the Grand Prix weekend unfold live on Fox Sports, which offers complete coverage of F1 races. For online streaming, fans can subscribe to Kayo Sports, a streaming platform that includes all Fox Sports content.

Additionally, F1 TV Pro offers live streaming of every track session to viewers in many countries worldwide.

This subscription service provides access to onboard cameras, team radios, live timing, and more, for an immersive viewing experience.

Remember to check the local listings and services for the most up-to-date information regarding broadcast times and availability in your region.

Liam Lawson To Make Second Debut

After making his F1 debut in 2023, Liam Lawson is set to make his second debut as he returns to the cockpit having replaced Daniel Ricciardo in the RB VCARB 01.

“I’m super excited for Austin and getting in the RB VCARB 01 for the first time. I’ve been to COTA a few times as a reserve and it’s probably one of my favourite races to go to, the atmosphere there is amazing. Although it’s a track I have yet to race at, I’ve spent plenty of time on it in the simulator. It has a great layout, so I’m looking forward to driving it for the first time, and just generally stoked to be back racing and working with the Team to get the best results we can.”

Fast Facts: United States Grand Prix

• Pole position in Austin has proved less fruitful than at most racetracks, with the driver starting second going onto lead the opening lap in five of the last six US Grand Prix.
• The 2024 US Grand Prix will be the 300th for Mercedes in F1 since the marque returned as a works team at the start of the 2010 season.
• COTA is one of nine tracks on the 2024 F1 calendar that is fully anti-clockwise, alongside Jeddah, Miami, Imola, Baku, Singapore, Interlagos, Las Vegas and Yas Marina.
• It is tied with Baku for the second-most corners on any F1 2024 track, with 20, behind Jeddah (27).
• The incline from the starting grid to the apex at Turn One is 134 feet, one of the highest elevation changes on the whole F1 calendar.
• Drivers generate over 5G under braking for Turn 12, one of the biggest of the season – a driver weighing 70kg will experience around 350kg of centrifugal force when they brake.
• No one has more wins at COTA than Lewis Hamilton (5). Lewis also clinched his third (2015) and sixth (2019) F1 titles at the track.
• The Mercedes team has five wins at COTA – more than any other Constructor. Lewis has four of those, while Valtteri Bottas also has one US GP win, coming in 2019.
• Max Verstappen has won the last three United States Grand Prix earning his 50th career race victory last year which was also his 30th win driving car no.1 which surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s 29 wins.
• For the second year in a row, the circuit will host an F1 Sprint race on Saturday.
• In 2024, COTA will host the fourth of six F1 Sprint races during the 2024 season.