Five Things To Watch
Max Verstappen may be champion but there’s still much to fight for at the Austin Grand Prix. Here’s five things to watch this weekend.
It’s been a near-perfect season for both Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Losing one race this year and entering the Austin Grand Prix still as firm favourites to win the race, it would be fair to presume the season is all but over.
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However, as we enter the final five races of this year, several teams and drivers are still fighting for the best position they can achieve. Be it Lewis Hamilton chasing second place to take advantage of Sergio Perez’s woes or McLaren’s resurgent performance, don’t be fooled to believe there’s still not a huge amount of action to be seen.
McLaren v Aston Martin at the Austin Grand Prix
McLaren and Aston Martin have had the reversal of seasons. While McLaren had a disappointing beginning to the season, Aston Martin was the biggest surprise in 2023.
in the first half of the season, Aston Martin achieved six podiums and were comfortably second in the constructors. However, since returning, the team has dramatically struggled in comparison to it’s competition.
It’s last podium was in the Dutch Grand Prix and, despite Fernando Alonso’s superb performances, it’s unlikely the team will be on the podium this weekend.
While McLaren only achieved two podiums in the first half of the season, it’s been a completley different season for the team since we’ve returned.
“We are super proud of this 2023, 197 points more at this point this year than last year, which is something incredible”
Taking six podiums since Singapore, the Woking-based team has been the only competitor that looks able to threaten Red Bull in recent races.
Entering the Austin Grand Prix, while Aston Martin has fallen below Mercedes and Ferrari in the constructors, McLaren has quickly risen. Now only 11 points behind the Aston, there’s a high chance that McLaren can rise even further to fourth.
Despite their best efforts, Aston look doubtful if they can defend the position despite Alonso’s best efforts. This is equally not helped by Lance Stroll’s admittedly poor performance in the second half of the season.
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Stroll is yet to score a point in since the Belgian Grand Prix and, while the team has achieved seven podiums this year, none have come from the Canadian.
However, Alonso is keen to remind critics that to suggest Aston Martin has not dissapointed after having their best season so far.
Alonso said: “I think it’s normal that now you see McLaren and some teams made a huge step forward and you may feel disappointed with our results and, I see that point, but we are not on that page.
“We are super proud of this 2023, 197 points more at this point this year than last year, which is something incredible.”
Austin Grand Prix showdown between Hamilton V Perez
Ignoring thew Qatar Grand Prix, Hamilton, after Verstappen, has been the most consistent driver on the grid. With one DNF this season which was also his only non-points finish, he’s found himself in a position to challenge Perez for the second in the driver’s championship.
While his retirement in Qatar certainly hurt his chances, enhanced by Perez’s disastourous race, the chase is still on with only 30 points seperating the two.
Perez has found himself in a rut of performances in comparrison to his teammate, unable to get the most performance out the car.
Retiring twice in Japan and once in Qatar in the sprint race, Perez has been handing points to Hamilton to allow him to close in in the second half of the season.
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With the pressure piling on, Perez needs a good run of results in order to prove his worth in Red Bull with several rumours spreading on how secure his position in the team currently is.
Team principal Christian Horner is keen to suggest that Perez will be in the team next season, however, if Perez doesn’t turn his luck around this weekend, it may not stay this way.
Both fans of the circuit, Hamilton has won the Austin Grand Prix several times in the past, challenging Max for the win in 2022. Perez has also finished on the podium in Austin before, sharing the podium with Hamilton in 2021.
Mercedes V Ferrari
It may be close between Perez and Hamilton, but it’s even closer between Mercedes and Ferrari in the constructors.
Seperated by 28 points, the Italian team have closed in on Mercedes over the last few races. Winning in Singapore and nearly beating both Mercedes in Japan, the two teams have been closely fighting in the end part of the season.
With no more upgrades to come this year for Ferrari, Mercedes have brought a big performance package for Austin.
Hoping this will prepare the team for 2024 and bring the troubled W14 more pace, Ferrari still believe second is within their reach.
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Charles leclerc said: “Qatar was probably one of the worst tracks for us, for the conditions, but also for the track characteristics in itself. Having said that, I think on Sprint weekends, the thing that has the most influence is how your FP1 goes, because then from FP1 you cannot change the car anymore.
“The high-speed is where you need confidence [at Austin], that’s clear. But where we’ve been lacking a bit more in the last few races was the medium, slow-speed corners. So this is where we’ll be focusing more.”
Pressure for points at home for Sargeant
Having three homes races, Logan Sargeant is in the golden era for American races. The only American on the grid, and the first since Scott Speed in 2007, it may not stay this way without a points finish.
After a dissapointing end to the Qatar Grand Prix, retiring due to fatigue due to the heat, Sargeant will be desperate to score points this weekend.
Suggesting that there is no specific requirements set by the team, team principal James Vowles has been clear in the past of what he needs to do.
Vowles said: “Logan has very clear targets of what he has to hit before the end of the season, and we are working with him continuously.
“That’s the important point, we are working with him. We want him to succeed, and we want him in the car next year.”
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Sargeant’s teammate, Alex Albon has been successful to several occasions to score points. Currently sat with 23 points, critics have been severe to the difference between the two.
The only driver currently on the grid not to score points, to do it at the Austin Grand Prix would be a great way to secure his seat and also to thank home fans.
Sargeant in the press conference talking on scoring points said: “Yeah, it would be awesome. I mean, that’s the goal. We’re going to do everything to put ourselves in that position, obviously, two qualifyings in two races to do well and I believe we can do so.”
Is Lance strolling out of F1?
Previously mentioned due to his lack of points this season, several rumours have occured on his position in F1.
Consistently slower than Alonso all season, rumours have spread all year about the Canadian’s position in the team.
With jokes about him retiring from F1 to play tennis, this was made worse by a blunder by F1 this weekend.
In part of the promotions on track at Austin, a poster was seen replacing Stroll with Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich.
Quickly taken down, it spurred rumours of his leave which have been also fed by rumours of the sale of the team.
Currently owned by Stroll’s father, Lawrence, F1-Insider has suggested that the Canadian billionaire is looking to sell the team with potential that Yuki Tsunoda would replace Lance Stroll.
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This would fit with Aston’s new partnership with Honda, using their engines from 2026. Tsunoda has been supported by Honda since 2016.
Asked by The Sun on his current position in Austin, Stroll was brash with his reponse, answering only “yes” to if he enjoys being in F1.
His performance and manner is one to watch this weekend with Stroll clearly frustrated at Qatar. Eliminated from Q1, Stroll was seen pushing his physio and giving blunt answers to the media.
Therefore, needing to show his potential, many question if his position is as secure as once thought at Aston Martin.