One hundred and twenty thousand people in Austin, the big show of Formula 1 also conquers the USA, a territory that is always difficult and suspicious of European racing. But it was hard to resist such a championship, and the marketing work done by the owners (Liberty Media, they too are American and next year we will also run in Miami), in Texas the duel for the title returns to its peak. Max Verstappen on pole ahead of Lewis Hamilton after a furious and spectacular fight, the Dutchman only managed to beat his rival at the last attempt: it was crazy, I didn’t think I would make it.
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They will still start side by side, determined for everything, ready to exploit any uncertainty because any episode with six races to go can decide the title. With Charles Leclerc quick to take advantage of it from the second row, advanced one square (like Sainz, from 6 to 5) due to yet another penalty by Valtteri Bottas: -5 positions for a new engine change. Confirming the fragility of the champion team’s cavalry.
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Friday’s starter in free practice showed the level of tension in the fight at the top, very high: the skirmishes in order not to give up the position even when it does not count for anything, Max’s middle finger to Lewis and that stupid idiot spoken on the radio when the whole world knew they would hear it. Already protagonists of two accidents (Silverstone and Monza), no one calculates the gap in the standings so little today, with the Red Bull driver ahead of six points. In Austin, everything seemed set for the restoration of Mercedes power: thanks to the increased power, thanks to a rear suspension that makes you talk.
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But then precisely, in a World Cup like this comes the special effect. The Red Bull that is reborn after having suffered beyond measure on the pitted asphalt of the Cota circuit and then find a compromise on the set-up. Not with one pilot, as always, but with two: because this time he woke up too Sergio Perez, perhaps prompted by the cheering of the many Mexicans.
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Hamilton in a pincer, he must be careful, but he has all the weapons to free himself: For me the mentality does not change: I leave to go and win. But he felt that pole was his, and he did not expect the other to reappear to take it off with a frenzied lap. It was a very good Saturday for Ferrari, and now it must be concretized to recover that minimal disadvantage (7.5 points) over McLaren for third place in the constructors.
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The only headache will be for Sainz having to sprint with the softest tires, he will be forced to stop sooner. It will be a game of chess with papaya machines, and who knows with a stroke of luck we could even miss a podium. Although Bottas from behind it could come up quickly. Uncertainty and all-out struggle, as the Americans like.
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THE CHRONICLE OF QUALIFICATIONS
Q2: Ocon excluded despite Alonso’s wake
In the second session the black arrows awaken, regain speed and rhythm. But even Ferrari shows that it can play its cards in comparison with McLaren on a circuit, where before the arrival of the new hybrid engine, it would have been unthinkable. Ocon (who fails to take advantage of Alonso’s slipstream, remained on the track only to tow him even though he already knew he would start last for the engine change) and Giovinazzi remain out of the top 10. And Vettel and Russell, who will be demoted as Fernando for mounting new components of the power unit.
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From the bottom take Russell, Vettel and Alonso penalized
In the first session, Q1, Mercedes started in fits and starts while Red Bull seems to have found the ideal form, already in the third free practice Perez had been a thunderbolt. The rear of the car slips in Hamilton and Bottas, it is not easy to find the set-up on the asphalt full of hollows in Texas. Usual verdicts in the last positions, but with positions destined to change. They will shoot from the bottom Russell, Vettel e Alonso due to the penalties associated with replacing the engine. Eliminated Mazepin, Schumacher, Raikkonen, Latifi and Stroll. Bravo Antonio Giovinazzi to pass the cut. Leclerc sets the best time of the session.
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Ricciardo in the Chevrolet Nascar of Dale Earnhardt (Afp)–
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Ricciardo’s tribute to Dale Earnhardt
Before qualifying, Daniel Ricciardo put on a show behind the wheel of a Nascar car, with crossings, burn-out and eight drawn on the asphalt. It was in the legendary 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by American racing idol, Dale Earnhardt. The show was a gift from McLaren boss Zak Brown for the Australian’s victory in the Italian GP at Monza. Ricciardo on the occasion of the US GP wore a special helmet in honor of The Intimidator, seven times Nascar champion who died twenty years ago in an accident in Daytona. Daniel as a kid did not miss a race in the stars and stripes series and had a lot of fun.
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October 24, 2021 (change October 24, 2021 | 01:01)
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