The Highs And Lows of The United States Grand Prix

A look at the best and worst moments from the Team’s time at the United States Grand Prix.

Everything

bigger

America

and

that’s

true

the

United

States

Grand

Prix.

The

crowds

are

huge

–

and

very

loud

the

track

epic,

and

the

racing

always

exciting.

But

before

get

the

most

recent

races,

let’s

look

back

the

highs

and

lows

the

Team’s

time

the

Track History: Circuit of The Americas

Seb and Mark Leading The Charge

A Double Podium For the Team

DC On The Circuit Of Americas – A Year Before It Was Ready

Two Bulls Hunting A Mercedes

Stampeding Down The Straight

Yee-Haw! A Podium Finish For Seb

That’s Eight On The Bounce

The Drivers’ Suit We All Want To See Again

First and Third For The Bulls

Let’s Sing It Together: “We Are The Champions…”

Double

DNS

Debut

In 2005 we were the newest team on the block making our Formula One debut

In the Team’s first season, way back in 2005, it saw one of the sport’s most controversial races take place at the United States Grand Prix.

The race was being held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and during Free Practice, Ralf Schumacher and Ricardo Zonta crashed due to their Michelin tyres failing on the recently resurfaced banking.

At the time, teams could choose their tyre manufacturer and in 2005 seven teams were shod with Michelin, whilst the other three were supported by Bridgestone. Michelin tried to make a compromise due to their tyres failing, but no agreement could be reached.

Michelin admitted that its tyres couldn’t cope with the uniquely extreme forces of that corner, especially as the recently resurfaced track was tearing the rubber more than usual and said they could only guarantee safety for 10 laps (not great for a 73-lap race).

All teams lined up at the start, but at the end of the formation lap David Coulthard and Christian Klien, along with all other drivers on Michelin, returned to the pits not to race.

Only six cars took part in the race much to the crowd’s disgust.

Race

And

Welcome

Return

Considering this year the US is hosting three races; it seems crazy that between 2008-2011 there wasn’t even a United States Grand Prix.

After the 2007 race at Indianapolis the circuit’s contract wasn’t renewed and no other circuit wanted to take over the reins. A deal was eventually brokered between F1 and The Circuit of The Americas to host the race in 2012. So, in late 2010, ground was broken in Austin to start the construction of the first circuit in America to be purpose built for Formula One.

First

Wheels

The

New

Track

DC On The Circuit Of Americas – A Year Before It Was Ready

With the United States Grand Prix returning in 2012, there was plenty of work to be done to create the new circuit for F1.

So, in 2011 when the Circuit of Americas was just a building site, it was going to take a brave driver to go for a spin on the gravel and dirt, but that’s exactly what David Coulthard did.

As part of the Team’s Show Runs back in 2011, DC took the RB7 out onto the layout of the track at COTA to see what it was like. Checkout his sighting lap here.

First

Taste

Success

When The United States Grand Prix returned in 2012 it was during the height of the Team’s first dominant period and at the first race back in the US, Sebastian Vettel qualified on pole position with teammate Mark Webber qualifying in P3.

Mark’s KERS system shut down early in the race and that lead to his alternator failing on lap 17 and ending his race. Seb, however, was powering along, but on lap 42 lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton, but was able to claim P2 and take the fastest lap with it.

A year later, Seb was able to go one better and collect the win as well. Giving him the last hattrick of his Formula One Career. Mark joined him on the podium after finishing P3, making it a double podium for the Team.

Seb Bags Hat-trick In The Desert

Gold

Rush

Every year since 2018, Max Verstappen has stood on the podium in Austin. His run started with an impressive P2 finish after a climb through the field from starting the race in 18th. Max was up to P9 by the end of the second lap constantly on the rise, and he hit P2 on lap 38, where he stayed until the chequered flag. A year later he was again on the podium finishing in third place.

After missing a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic the United States Grand Prix returned in 2021, and Max went on a run of taking three wins in a row. In fact, he he’s been so dominant in the US that his run saw him win every single race held in the US. A run that was only broken in Miami this year.

Stay

date

To see if Max can make it four in a row in Austin, you’ll be able to follow all the action on our Race Hub, with exclusive videos, photos and reports.

The action in Austin starts at 12:30 track time (17:30 UTC) on Friday for Free Practice before Sprint Qualifying at 16:30 (21:30 UTC) Join us then!