2015 United States Grand Prix - Austin, October 23 - 25

[sgth0mas]

Texas is notoriously unpredictable when it comes to weather. The same thing happened this april at motogp...rain both practice and qualifying...dry and relatively hot race.

rainwater was leaking off a bridge over the track on race day when the sun started to shine though and the race had to be delayed, let's hope they sealed that thing

That was actually track workers shaking the advert tarps off over that bridge. As my wife and i crossed heading towards turn 1, we looked at each other and said "why on earth would they decide to do that right before the main race?". I know it was a safety deal with respect to the amount of weight it was exerting on the bridge, but to let it go all day until right before the race is stupid.

Sure enough...it was a lengthy delay because of it.

Also i think half the people ive seen buy tickets around here are more concerned with elton john. What a great choice to sell tickets and try to extend the fan base.

[Vasconia]

Apart from Singapore, I still don't understand where this notion that Red Bull and Ferrari has better traction that Mercedes has come from.

Call it fantasy if you want. The Mercedes has a great traction and about this race, if nothing strange happens they will smash the competence. I would like to see Rosberg putting Lewis under pressure, for the sake of an exciting race,but also to see the real gap between them and the rest of the teams.

They'll smash the... competence? I do hope you meant the competition .

The competence, the competitors, the competition....everything. You are a cruel boy Turbo.

[TAG]

I wonder who would win if they had Vettel driving instead of Ross.
Or if they had Alonso.... Because I am a Hamilton fan I would like to see him have a partner who can actually beat him next to him. Not a natural number 2 driver. Ross just can't beat him.....

Two birds with one stone, Bernie's comment about How Hamilton would do in a lower category and how he'd do against Vettel. We already know how he did against Alonso.

[markp]

1 year can be a one off like Button beating Hamilton in 2011. Alonso v Hamilton or whatever you would need 3 or 4 years next to each other. Conversation better left for the pub or elsewhere.

[ME4ME]

I'm trying to think of any on-track battle this year that is as exciting as your video. So far I've not nothing.

Dear lord I hope Merc and Ferrari are equally matched next year

[PlatinumZealot]

Looking forward to the Kardashians and Rihanna in the pits.

[godlameroso]

I taught El Niño was currently in the Pacific Ocean'? Edging closer towards California '?

It affects everything else just not directly, nor right away, remember the Pacific is a HUGE ocean, all that water will certainly affect the atmosphere. It's simply a matter of numbers.

[Phil]

So rain looks certain, for Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, two heavy showers are expected. Assuming heavy rain showers on Sunday, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vettel win it. Reasoning? I think Mercedes will not split strategies or gamble on one of their drivers because they know that either decision would be detriment to either drivers WDC prospects. So they give identical strategies to both and let both drivers decide if they want to take gambles or not. This puts Ferrari in the black-sheep position. Being realists, they know this year is out of reach, so they can gamble all they want - go aggressive. If it rains, this might turn into their favor vs both Mercedes driving under the assumption that both have a lot to lose and might only undertake "calculated risks".

So if I was to bet money on good odds - I think a rain inflected race in CotA on Vettel would be it.

Or is this just the pessimist in me preparing for the worst?



EDIT: Gonna stick my head out a bit further

(Wet) Qualifying:
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Vettel

(Dry) Race:
1. Hamilton
2. Rosberg
3. Vettel

(Unpredictable) Race:
1. Vettel
2. Non-Ferrari & Non Mercedes -- maybe a Williams?
3. Rosberg

^^ assuming a total strategy blunder. Yes yes, I'm crazy - but it's all in good fun. Hope to be proven wrong.

[SoCalWJS]

I taught El Niño was currently in the Pacific Ocean'? Edging closer towards California '?

It affects everything else just not directly, nor right away, remember the Pacific is a HUGE ocean, all that water will certainly affect the atmosphere. It's simply a matter of numbers.

This. El Nino changes the weather pattern for much of the Northern Hemisphere and even parts of the Southern. Some gets hotter or colder, some gets more or less precipitation.

Take any forecasts more than 3 days out with a grain of salt. Heck, sometimes it's less than that. I remember a forecast a few years back when I really found out what an "Inside Slider" can be in SoCal (hit most of the US Southwest). Less than 12 hours before it hit, there was a forecast of 10% chance of precipitation with amounts of around a tenth of an inch accumulation.

Results at my house: 18" of Snow.......

[godlameroso]

I think it's going to rain it'll be tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday will be mixed conditions, may have qualifying on a drying track, Sunday's race may rain during the race, but most likely will be dry with one huge shower wetting part of the track or at least threaten to as I'm seeing scattered isolated showers.

[Andres125sx]

Isolated showers are the best. Heavy rain usually translates to red flag and also conditions (grip) is more constant, while with isolated showers everything is crazy, grip, strategy, predictability... so those are the funniest races and also when top drivers can shine despite not driving a top car

Lewis will win anycase, but at least the rest will be funnier

[sgth0mas]

The rain here has been really scattered and light. Its perfect to throw a wrench in strategy and make the drive more challenging. Theyre calling for heavy thunder storms saturday but well see.

The current weather would make the race worth watching. I feel bad for the F1 fan fest performers and attendees though.

[godlameroso]

Right now as we speak the jet stream is moving a large amount of moisture through west texas and the early part of tomorrow Austin which is somewhat north east should receive the brunt of it.

[SectorOne]

Vettel 10 place grid penalty, new engine.

[dans79]

Vettel 10 place grid penalty, new engine.

what, why?