Formula One News
F1's Sebastian Vettel heading to Austin unbeaten since July
It may only be a week since he won his fourth consecutive Formula One World Championship crown, but it has done nothing to quench the competitive thirst of World Champion Sebastian Vettel. The German star crushed his rivals with a win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to extend his unbeaten run to an astonishing seven straight races.
Though Vettel was beaten to pole by teammate Mark Webber, he passed the Australian to seize the initiative, echoing what happened in Japan just a week earlier.
Vettel’s flying start was mimicked by Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg and Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, who became embroiled in a race-long battle for third place on the podium behind the rampant Red Bull duo, Webber soon regained the advantage over the slower Rosberg.
“Today’s race was unbelievable - close to perfect," said a beaming Sebastian Vettel post-race.
While Vettel streaked clear to an eventual thirty second margin of victory, the fight behind him was, as always, thoroughly absorbing. Tactical play was at the forefront of many a battle throughout the desert dusk, but a series of hair raising on-track passing maneuvers added extra spice to a race whose victor was never in doubt.
Kimi Raikkonen, who threatened to withdraw from the event earlier in the week over contract disputes with his team Lotus, was forced to start from the back of the grid following a qualifying infringement. Raikkonen's luck didn’t get any better as the Finn’s car was terminally damaged when he clouted the back of Giedo van der Garde’s Caterham at the first corner.
Fernando Alonso survived a scrape with Toro Rosso driver Jean Eric Vergne to go on and pass British drivers Lewis Hamilton and Paul Di Resta in the closing laps for an eventual fifth place, while outgoing teammate Felipe Massa raced excellently to secure eighth. Along the way, he rekindled the rivalry with his 2008 title opponent Hamilton and pulled off a superb double overtake that carried him past the Brit as well as Nico Hulkenberg who was later bundled out of contention with a drive-through penalty for an unsafe release from the pits.
Sergio Perez and Adrian Sutil rounded out the top ten positions.
“The car was absolutely brilliant," said a beaming Vettel post-race. "Not much more to say. Massive gaps, big surprise.”
The World Championship may be settled, but make no mistake: racing action is guaranteed as they’re out to stop Sebastian Vettel in Texas.
"We knew that the car would be very fast in the race, as we’ve been targeting that since Saturday and there you had it,"Vettel continued. "The setup was just awesome and that gave us the chance to control the race from the front from lap one.”
With Vettel at the top of his ever-improving game, Austin braces itself for the arrival of the Formula One circus. The World Championship may be settled, but make no mistake: racing action is guaranteed as they set out to stop Vettel in Texas.
This year’s U.S. Grand Prix will kick off with a media day on Thursday and on-track action beginning Friday with double practice sessions. Free Practice One will commence at 9am, followed by Free Practice Two at 1pm. Saturday will see the final practice session —again at 9am — ahead of qualifying at 12pm. Sunday brings the all-important race at 1pm. If you are at the Circuit of the Americas for the duration of the weekend, expect there to be plenty of support race action from the Ferrari Challenge category across the weekend.
The 2013 US Grand Prix will take place November 14-17.
One of the weekend's major talking points was the addition of the new Paddock Hospitality track at the top of Turn 1. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although he is not in contention for a repeat championship, Lando Norris remains a crowd favorite. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli led from the start, never losing placement as he claimed his ninth win of the season. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It was hard to get a moment with Paddock star the Ferrari Pope, who posed for pictures all weekend. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli greeted the Grandstand before boarding the trailer ahead of the Driver's Parade on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lily Zneimer stopped for a quick portrait before heading into the McLaren garage to support her boyfriend, driver Oscar Piastri.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Michael Dell made their way to the McLaren garage just before the qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It takes a well-oiled machine of a team to win races. No drama, just fist bumps and good communication. Oh, and a fast car.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
COTA's new attraction is the theme park, aptly named COTALand. Clearly, the jury remains out on the spectacle. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's not uncommon to see fans lined up outside of the Paddock as they wait for their favorite drivers and teams to head out for the day. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Last year's US Grand Prix winner, Max Verstappen, finished third this year after starting second on the grid. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Alpine's pit crew got their warm-ups done shortly before race start on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Interior designer and Miss Jamaica Universe 1994 Angelie Spencer was on site to support her favorite team, Ferrari. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Having Cadillac driver and fan favorite Checo Perez back on the grid has been great for the US Grand Prix, as thousands of Mexicans come to Austin to watch their countryman race. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's no surprise who fashion influencer Aimee Kelly supports.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Antonelli took home the winner’s trophy, he did not clinch the driver’s championship as some had hoped. He needed teammate George Russell to fall to 9th and ex-Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish in 5th. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Mercedes garage was full of adrenaline as they waited for Antonelli to arrive at parc fermé and take the traditional plunge into the hands of his crew.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The championship is all but Antonelli’s, with one hand firmly on the grip of the trophy. He is expected to complete his first-ever world championship this weekend in Mexico.Photo by Daniel Cavazos