AUSTIN, Texas - The first and last race at the all-new Circuit of the Americas, near Austin, super-venue was in 2012, and it was almost the perfect Texan storm for INFINITI Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel. The German took pole position and set the fastest lap (1:39.347), but he was beaten to the top step of the podium by Lewis Hamilton by a mere half-a-second. This year, the new four-time Formula One World Drivers' Champion will be looking to round out a stunning 2013 season in continued fast style with a win in the U.S.
We call it a super-venue because it's huge and features various tracks for the different racing tastes that mix it up in this vast American state. At its heart is the Formula One circuit, and 120,000 passionate fans will fill the grandstands this weekend to see the fastest cars and drivers on the planet.
From the start line, the cars blast down the straight into a hairpin left, and then the flip-flop curvy fun begins. Turns 2 through 7 start very fast and gently tighten before a hard stop at Turn 8. In a sweet-spotted Formula One car, these flowing bends will bring helmet-filling smiles. Turn 9 is tight too, and then the track opens up through 10 before there's another big braking phase for another hairpin left at 11. And then it's time to really let loose.
The "back straight" is one of the longest of the racing year, and there's a DRS zone just after halfway. Turn 12 is a hard left, and with the cars at maximum speed before this high-G brake, any driver mistakes will surely be punished with an overtaking manoeuver.
From Turn 12 through 15, it's tight and twisting, meaning the racecars will need plenty of mechanical grip, but from 16 to 19 the flow returns and the speeds pick right up, along with the downforce. Finally, Turns 19 and 20 are tight enough, and the drivers must get 20 perfectly apex'd to take as much speed as possible with them onto the start/finish straight. It's 5.5 kms of speed, curves, stops and starts, and the Formula One cars will look and sound amazing here.
Key Track Statistics
- Local start time: 13h00
- Number of laps: 56
- Circuit length: 5.513km
- Race distance: 308.405km
- Grand Prix debut: 2012
- Lap record: Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing, 2012), 1:39.347
2012 Qualifying
1. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
3. Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Race Results
1. Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
3. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
United States Grand Prix City Guide
Austin might just be the most eclectic city in the U.S. It's a cultural and demographic melting pot, embracing both sides of the political spectrum, social consciousness, capitalist development, high tech and low tech, and ethnic diversity. Students, hippies, Internet millionaires, movie stars, cowboys, artists -- you'll find them all here.
Quality of life reigns supreme in a city that's judged to be one of the coolest places to live in the country. Music is an important part of the culture here, with Austin responsible for the nature and nurture of several of the most acclaimed acts in blues, country, Latin, ska and rock. Every night, particularly in the bars of 6th Street, you'll find live performers and dedicated followers. Tex-Mex is the most loved food, with plenty of eccentric Hispanic and 50s-style diners serving tacos with a smile.
"Keep Austin Weird" yell the bumper stickers, and while Austin is growing at a rapid rate, it's keen to preserve its rebelliousness, arty-ness, and unique civic pride. The only thing Austinites love more than the city itself is their college football team, the Longhorns. But they're getting into Formula One fast.
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI's Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit INFINITINews.com, "like" INFINITI on Facebook or follow the brand on Twitter @INFINITIUSA. For interesting content on INFINITI in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
About INFINITI in Formula One
INFINITI, the premium automotive brand, starts the 2013 season as Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing. With a deepened technical collaboration across people, process and technologies, an 'open door' approach is enabling both sides to access a pool of innovation, new technologies and R&D resources in the shared pursuit of precision and performance.
Since the partnership's inception in 2011 it has already seen the launch of the INFINITI FX Vettel Edition and product development input from Sebastian Vettel and test driver Sebastien Buemi for the all-new INFINITI Q50 premium sports saloon. INFINITI continues to be the most visible automotive brand in Formula One, and the deepened partnership will ensure closer alignment on an increasing number of future team collaborations.
For interesting content on INFINITI in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/INFINITIGP or follow on Twitter @INFINITIGP.
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