Gunning for Texas success posted in F114 | 11 | 2012
THE FORMULA ONE circus is in the Lone Star State this weekend when Austin, Texas, hosts the latest US Grand Prix. The newly-built Circuit of the Americas promises to be something of a rollercoaster ride: if not for the spectators, then definitely for the drivers.
With its blind crests and rolling undulations, the new track is unique on the F1 calendar. Its combination of the rising blind apex of Turn 1, allied to cambered high-speed sections, guarantee it will not be easy to conquer and will prove a tough test for the Pirelli tyres.
With two races to go, just 10 points separate championship leader Sebastian Vettel's Red Bull from Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
And Vettel, bidding to win the championship for a third successive year, admits both he and rival Alonso would be equally worthy champions.
"If you look at the races we've done so far, I think Fernando's and my DNFs or calamities are equal," Vettel, who will start the 100th grand prix of his career on Sunday, said.
"I still believe the driver who deserves it most will be champion. There's no doubt we are in a very good position now, and I hope we do well until the very end to make sure that we deserve the glory.
Scot Paul di Resta targets points in USGP
"Of course the last races we had were very good for us, to put it mildly. They have helped us a lot.
"If you look at the whole season with 20 races, you do have incidences that you don't like to have, you probably have some retirements due to technical problems.
"We had those, and hopefully we have now passed this phase.
"It is very hard to run so many races without incidents. It is not something that is part of your calculation, but you have to be prepared when it hits you not to stand there with eyes wide open."
Alonso meanwhile admitted he will go into the 2012 championship-deciding races "much more relaxed" than in his previous Formula 1 title showdowns.
"I'm much more relaxed, much more focused," Alonso, world champion in 2005 and '06. "In 2006 I arrived in the last race fighting with Michael (Schumacher) in Brazil and it was quite stressful, quite an intense weekend and not easy to get focused or to sleep or things like that. It was a very emotional weekend.
"The year after, in 2007 was also stressful and not easy to do anything. In 2010 we arrived in Abu Dhabi fighting for the championship in the last race. I was much more calm there and more confident in things. The race was what it was, we were not winning at the end but feeling wise I was much more prepared.
"In these last two races I feel completely normal so I think it is a good experience. It is the fourth time we fight for the championship until the last race and you feel different, more concentrated to do the job."
Lamborghini reveals new Aventador Roadster
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars
Jim McGill