Race Report: United States (Round 19)

Lap Record: N/A

Lap Length: 5.515km

Race Length: 56 Laps

Total Distance: 191.939km

Tyre Allocation:  Medium & Hard

Start Grid (before penalties) - http://www.formula1.com/results/season/2012/882/7184/

A thrilling inaugural grand prix at the Circuit Of The Americas has confirmed Red Bull officially as Constructor’s Champions for the third year running and kept the Driver’s title going till the season finale in Sao Paulo, Brazil, many thanks to a storming drive by Lewis Hamilton in what may possibly be his last win for McLaren.

Hamilton Finally Isn't Tainted By Reliability & Fairly Beat Vettel On Track In The Process

After the discussions of what the implications would be for those starting on the left dusty side of the grid, of course it gave them a disadvantage, but for many it wasn’t as significant as first thought, on average losing a position each. Webber overtook into the ominous first corner/wall before once again getting the bad luck out of the two Red Bull’s, retiring from the race on lap 16 due to another alternator failure, which Red Bull will be thankful didn’t occur for Vettel instead.

Hamilton looked on the pace from the outgo, quickly re-passing Webber, before taunting Vettel for the majority of the race, as they both pulled away from the entire field leaving Alonso for dead. After qualifying ninth, Fernando started in seventh after Grosjean’s and more importantly his teammate’s controversial last minute gearbox penalty, which now can be credited as both an un-sporting but on the other hand inspired decision. Instead of arriving in the first corner probably in ninth, he arrived in fourth, finishing third for his twelve podium in the nineteen races this season.

The First Corner Which Could Have Fitted The Whole Field In, Braking Points Were Hard To Find

It was probably a slightly dull race for Alonso in the end, but it was far less than dull for the majority of the field. Overtaking was aplenty at the new circuit, despite some talk as a result of the first sector being twisty making it difficult. Lots of ‘dummies’ were being sent, and thanks to the wide design of the circuit, particularly into key braking corners allowed multiple cars to enter, in many different racing lines. Button was the winner of the day despite a first lap disaster, falling from twelve to sixteenth being stuck behind the tentative Senna into the first corner, as cars wiggled round the S’s for grip. Button eventually finished a well-deserved fifth.

Similarly, Massa finished well in fourth, whilst Grosjean had a mixed race despite a spin at the tricky turn nineteen whilst chasing Hulkenberg, just finishing behind Abu Dhabi winning teammate Raikkonen in sixth and seventh, with the two Williams finishing out the points.

Further down the results, Mercedes end of season slumped as they fell down the order, getting beating by a Toro Rosso easily, with Schumacher falling from sixth to sixteenth after out performing the car in qualifying.

Marussia thought they had completely outperformed Caterham now, which they proved in qualifying, but Petrov and Kovalainen had the small consolation of out-racing them, as they look to drop from tenth to eleven and last, with HRT expected to not be on the grid in 2013.

Off the track, celebrities were in their masses, and Bernie has also confirmed he is aiming for three, yes three; races in the States by 2015. New Jersey is now expected in join in 2014, but options are open for the third proposed race.

The First Podium With Cowboy Hats That's For Sure

The first grand prix at the new venue certainly confirmed everyone’s expectations and has made us look forward to future races there. Can you imagine if Vettel had the failure rather than Webber? Alonso would now be eight points ahead instead of thirteen behind. Wow. Nevertheless, showers are predicted for Interlagos, Vettel is still the favourite for so many reasons, but Alonso is hanging in there and probably praying for falling rain.

Nick, F1 Hub

Results

1. Hamilton [McLaren Mercedes] 1:35:55:269

2. Vettel [Red Bull-Renault] +0.6 seconds

3. Alonso [Ferrari] + 39.2 seconds

4. Massa [Ferrari] +46.0 seconds

5. Button [McLaren Mercedes] + 56.4 seconds

6. Raikkonen [Lotus-Renault] +64.4 seconds

7. Grosjean [Lotus-Renault] +70.3 seconds

8. Hulkenberg [Force India-Mercedes] +73.7 seconds

9. Maldonado [Williams-Renault] +74.5 seconds

10. Senna [Williams-Renault] +75.1 seconds

11. Perez [Sauber-Ferrari] +84.3 seconds

12. Ricciardo [Toro Rosso-Ferrari] +84.8 seconds

13. Rosberg [Mercedes] +85.5 seconds

14. Kobayashi [Sauber-Ferrari] +1 lap

15. di Resta [Force India-Mercedes] +1 lap

16. Schumacher [Mercedes] +1 lap

17. Petrov [Caterham-Renault] +1 lap

18. Kovalainen [Caterham-Renault] +1 lap

19. Glock [Marussia-Cosworth] +1 lap

20. Pic [Marussia-Cosworth] +1 lap

21. de la Rosa [HRT-Cosworth] +1 lap

22. Karthikeyan [HRT-Cosworth] +1 lap

Did Not Finish

Webber [Red Bull-Renault] Lap 16

Vergne [Toro Rosso-Ferrari] Lap 14