The Official United States GP Thread 2012***SPOILERS***

[BartSimpson]

So in 7 days time the F1 drivers will be heading out for FP1 at the penultimate race of the 2012 season in Austin.

Will Vettel and the team be able to clinch both titles this weekend? Will reliability issues cause mischief with the Mclaren?

I'm hoping that the drivers championship carries on until the final round in Brazil.

Predictions.

Hamilton
Kimi
Alonso

Although I think that my prediction is more a pipe dream.

[Life Saab Itch]

Dammit, I was going to start this today.

Well it's a sky only one so I'll be on a highlights package as the BBC are assholes.

I think that the Williams may be on the same level as Abu Dhabi and the Saubers may be strong.

I would love it if Perez could get a win befor he goes to McLaren.

Realistically, if Red Bull get a half decent set up they will nail qually and walk the race.

In an ideal world Vettel and Alonso would go to Brazil equal on points.

[BartSimpson]

Life Saab Itch said:

In an ideal world Vettel and Alonso would go to Brazil equal on points.

Oh how I would love this to happen!

[Johnny]

Very much looking forward to this round... Although race start at 1900 is a biatch as that's exactly when I'll be finishing work and heading the 1.5hrs home. Looks like a record & watch-as-live session will be in order.

[snorkel sucker]

Tough call.

New track puts everyone level pegging in terms of experience. Unknown in terms of how the surface will react to tyre loads/wear.

Weather looks like being mid 70's, so akin to the likes of the euro-circuits. Topography is a little up and down in places so Spa-esque with some high-downforce sections too.

Previous form suggests Red Bull will be strong, particularly given their "discovery" that they can still have a fast car with less downforce; will that see them romp away from the Ferrari?!

Alonso will be up there if for no other reason that his ability to adapt to new circuits.

If McLaren can have an incident free weekend, who knows. Lewis has a spring in his step, thats for sure.

[Altrezia]

I've been (pretend) driving around the track in rFactor - it's a good one. Lots of hills, blind corners, wide enough for overtakes, and a few corners that might throw up errors.. might actually be an interesting race.

[skinny]

bugger, gutted that this is a highlights race

[RacerMDR]

BartSimpson said:

Life Saab Itch said:

In an ideal world Vettel and Alonso would go to Brazil equal on points.

Oh how I would love this to happen!

I wouldn't bet against Alonso taking it - if they were on equal points at a circuit like Brazil

Praying for that...........

[MrKipling43]

So, the only way that Alonso can realistically take the title to the last round is by coming first in the US, right?

Then if Seb finishes second, he needs to score four more points than Seb in Brazil correct?

Exciting.

I just wish it was between Alonso and... well, anyone else really!

[snorkel sucker]

The scenario(s) are listed below of potential point scoring finishes in Austin...

Vettel Alonso
points 255 245
1st 280 270
2nd 273 263
3rd 270 260
4th 267 257
5th 265 255
6th 263 253
7th 261 251
8th 259 249
9th 257 247
10th 256 246

Apologies for the awfu formatting - in a rush!

[G0ldfysh]

Fingers crossed for
Alonso
Hamilton
Vettel

Not sure where the two drivers sit on total wins though should anything happen to both of them at Brazil.

[snorkel sucker]

G0ldfysh said:

Fingers crossed for
Alonso
Hamilton
Vettel

Not sure where the two drivers sit on total wins though should anything happen to both of them at Brazil.

Alonso: 3 wins 4 second places
Vettel: 5 wins 2 second places

[hornetrider]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how the racing on this circuit pans out.

[Dr Z]

New track and I imagine it'll be pretty 'green', so anything is possible. I too hope for 1) Alonso 2)Somebody 3)Vettel. Will only have to catch the highlights unfortunately, so looking forward to watching/following the race.

[vonuber]

I'd like to see Petrov win. What a race that would be.

[thepawbroon]

I'm very excited! I am actually going to go to this face, first time I'll have been to F1

Does anybody know where the DRS zone is? I'm presuming it's along the back straight between Turns 11 and 12, but maybe they will run a second DRS zone on the start/finish?

I'm in hospitality - our company is taking clients, I've no idea where the suite is but most likely on the start/finish straight.

Anyway, prediction of the result I want:

Button
Di Resta
Kimi

Prediction of the result I expect:

Vettel
Alonso
Hamilton

Cheers
D

[Tyre Smoke]

vonuber said:

I'd like to see Petrov win. What a race that would be.

More chance of Heikki surely?

[MGJohn]

Tyre Smoke said:

vonuber said:

I'd like to see Petrov win. What a race that would be.

More chance of Heikki surely?

At previous race odds which no doubt will be much the same, an "investment" of around £75 if it wins should enable you to buy a new Mclaren 12c and a nice few quid left over.... Hmmmm ... thinks...

With so many unknown quantities at this new track, anything can happen and probably will as the unknown can be a great leveler and ruin the best laid plans and all that.

On the downside, I've already written off my "investment" for the WDC on Alonso the Great. I think it will need a miracle or severe bad luck for Vettel for that wager now to pay off.

I blew my money on him back in 2010 too ... some folks never learn... Guilty M'Lud ...

[rallycross]

Vettel to receive one race ban due to foul language on the podium last time out (this evens up the odds for a last race finale). His seat to be taken by Mario Andretti in a red bull with a one off JPS livery who will take a shock win closely followed by Kimi R.

[Dr Z]

MGJohn said:

On the downside, I've already written off my "investment" for the WDC on Alonso the Great. I think it will need a miracle or severe bad luck for Vettel for that wager now to pay off.

I blew my money on him back in 2010 too ... some folks never learn... Guilty M'Lud ...

What is this, some perverse form of reverse-bet sadism out of making Alonso fail?! Naughty!