(Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have traded the System One championship lead 4 occasions in six races and Sunday’s U.S. Grand Prix in Austin may present yet one more twist within the story.
Pink Bull’s Verstappen leads Hamilton by six factors after 16 of twenty-two races however the Circuit of the Americas holds happier recollections for Mercedes’ seven occasions world champion.
There was no race final 12 months as a result of COVID-19 pandemic however Hamilton clinched his sixth title in Texas in 2019 after celebrating his third there in 2015.
No driver has been extra profitable than the Briton in Austin, with Hamilton having fun with 5 wins from eight begins.
Each winner has additionally began on the entrance row and Mercedes have taken pole place within the final six.
“Austin has been a Hamilton stronghold for fairly a couple of years now,” noticed Pink Bull crew boss Christian Horner after Verstappen took again the lead from Hamilton in Turkey.
Valtteri Bottas gained in Istanbul for Mercedes and was additionally the final winner in Austin, from pole, however the Finn might be anticipated to cede to Hamilton if circumstances demand it in Austin.
“This season has had so many twists and turns, so we’re able to react to no matter comes our means this weekend in Texas,” mentioned Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, whose crew are 36 factors away from Pink Bull within the constructors’ standings.
Verstappen has gained seven races to Hamilton’s 5 this season and has additionally led many extra laps than his 36-year-old rival.
Whereas Austin ought to play extra to the strengths of the Mercedes, with a number of lengthy straights, there are additionally sharp, low-speed corners and good overtaking potentialities to encourage Pink Bull.
There’s additionally all the time a primary time and Verstappen is able to seize his likelihood.
“We have now all the time been aggressive in the US and have gotten near some good outcomes,” mentioned the Dutch teen. “So it is about changing that right into a win now.
“We go to each observe now realizing that we are able to battle at the very least for a podium now, but additionally a win and that’s completely different to previous years.
“We’re targeted on doing the most effective we are able to and all the time attempting to win the race, and that might be no completely different in Austin. It will likely be one other shut battle this weekend and I’m wanting ahead to that.”
Verstappen’s document in America can be sturdy, with second place in 2018, third in 2019 and fourth in 2015 and 2017.
The battle for third place within the constructors’ standings stays crimson sizzling, with McLaren 7.5 factors forward of Ferrari and each hopeful.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo might be significantly wanting ahead to Texas and receiving a reward from McLaren boss Zak Brown for profitable the Italian Grand Prix.
Ricciardo might be taking the late Dale Earnhardt Sr’s 1984 NASCAR Wrangler Chevrolet Monte Carlo for a spin across the circuit.
“He’s an enormous hero of mine, so to have the ability to drive one among his automobiles goes to be a surreal second and a little bit of a dream come true. A giant because of Zak for protecting his finish of the deal and making this occur.”
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, enhancing by Toby Davis)
