Motor Racing
United States Grand Prix Preview
The Formula 1 season recommences after a one-month hiatus following Lando Norris’ win in Singapore, which spiced up the competition in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
As it stands, Norris is just 52 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers’ Standings for this season, having finished above the Dutchman in the last four outings on track.
In the Constructors’ Standings, McLaren have taken pole position on 516 points ahead of Red Bull on 475, who have Ferrari breathing down their necks on 441.
It’s all to play for here in Texas with six races left in the calendar, and the United States Grand Prix could act as a real litmus test for how the rest of the season will play out.
Bet on the US Grand Prix with William Hill
Circuit of the Americas overview
This weekend looks to be wide open. The track has been resurfaced and will most likely drive differently to how it has in the past, bringing forth a whole host of new challenges to the drivers this year.
With a mixture of high-speed corners and some very sharp, slow ones too, the drivers will need to be tactically astute when negotiating their race strategy. The circuit features two DRS zones and, combined with the sharp braking zones and tight corners, the tyres tend to take an absolute pounding.
It’s likely that most teams will opt for a two-stop strategy in order to maximise the output of their tyres and ensure plenty of scope for overtakes, with plenty of opportunities on this track.
Main teams to look out for
Mercedes
The Singapore Grand Prix was a bit of a disappointment for Mercedes as they were massively outclassed by McLaren and Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. Although their season looked to take a turn halfway through, it still seems as though they have lost performance relative to the top three teams.
Historically, though, Mercedes have done well around this circuit and both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are 12/1 to secure the top spot on the podium, with more appealing odds of 11/4 for Hamilton and 7/2 for Russell to finish in the top three.
McLaren
As shown by the Constructors’ Standings, McLaren do seem to have the best car on the grid at the moment with regards to balance and consistency on the varying tracks. Norris and Oscar Piastri may well dominate this weekend as both drivers have been in immaculate form this season.
They’ll be looking to make their ground in the corners as that’s where their strengths lie and Norris has been given the nod as the market leader in the US Grand Prix at 11/10, with teammate Piastri a 5/1-shot.
Ferrari
Last time out, Ferrari just failed to maximise their potential on track as Charles Leclerc looked to have the pace of the top three on race day but started down the grid due to a mistake made with tyre temperatures in the garage in qualifying.
Ferrari might struggle slightly this weekend, with McLaren looking quite the force to be reckoned with, but that said, Leclerc is a 6/1-shot to land the trophy.
Red Bull
Red Bull have had a majorly different season to last year, and the competition has been a lot closer for star performer Max Verstappen. The Texas track may not suit their car here, despite the upgrades they’ve made since a decent showing in Singapore, as they’ve not managed to find the right balance for those sharper corners.
If they have pulled it off with the upgrades, Max Verstappen at 4/1 is a lovely price to win a Grand Prix he’s triumphed in three years on the trot.
Prediction
We’ve got an inkling it’s going to be McLaren’s weekend, and with that said, our top bet would be Lando Norris Race Winner, Oscar Piastri 2nd, Max Verstappen 3rd at 11/1 with William Hill’s #YourOdds.
