For the first time since 2019, Formula One is heading back to America for the United States Grand Prix
After two races that were really strong for McLaren – Daniel Ricciardo leading home a one-two at Monza and Lando Norris so nearly winning in Russia – Scuderia Ferrari were able to back in the Turkish Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc in the fight at the sharp end and Carlos Sainz fighting his way through the field from the back to finish eighth.
The Istanbul race could have been even better for the Maranello team but for a slow pit stop that hurt Carlos Sainz’s chances of a higher finish, but they still managed to cut the gap between the two old rivals to just 7.5 points.
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A lot of the focus is on the constructors’ championship battle for first place, but the fight for third has been similarly close throughout the year, with both teams showing they are capable of featuring in the mix for race wins on occasion. But the unpredictability has been an added aspect, with both McLaren and Scuderia Ferrari capable of uncompetitive weekends, too.
A recent power unit upgrade from the Italian side appears to have given them a clear step forward and Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto admits the main target now is to overhaul McLaren, wanting his team to learn from the pressure the battle is providing in order to be stronger when race wins and championships are on the table in future. While Mexico City and Brazil look on paper more favourable for the Maranello team, Ferrari will also have to try and maximise the result at Circuit of the Americas next weekend.
The track itself was designed to incorporate aspects of other circuits around the world. The first sector is primarily based upon the esses at Suzuka, for instance. As such, it’s a circuit with a wide variety of corners, and a setup which can handle everything that the track throws at the car is essential. The most important part of any setup is the wing settings. This track has a fair few lumps and bumps, as well as a couple of fairly nasty kerbs.
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