The United States GP, which has been staged on the Austin track since 2012, has never seen so much tension before the engines have even started on the track. Because the Texan one could have been the good appointment for the second consecutive title of Max Verstappen, which instead came as a surprise two weeks ago in Japan by virtue of the usual, questionable, regulatory interpretations of the race direction, while instead it will be the theater of the first suspended weekend between the World Championship won by the Dutchman and the highly anticipated FIA ruling on the Red Bull budget cap case. With all the contours of allegations and poisons that inevitably affect the environment. If Max has every interest in legitimizing his success and protecting himself from any sanctions, the Federation is facing a real existential crossroads, which concerns its own credibility and consequently that of the highest expression of motorsport.
Max favorite a must
Starting from the exquisitely sporting side, Max Verstappen is the obligatory favorite also on the Texan ups and downs, a decidedly more successful ’tilkodrome’ than others. The RB18 seems impregnable on the straight as well as on the fast corners, both basic ingredients of the Austin track, while the slow corners, from the end of the summer onwards, no longer seem to be Ferrari’s comfort zone. And Max, we must swear, will push hard both to further legitimize the 2022 iris, and to take shelter from what may possibly happen in the coming weeks, read any penalties in the standings.
United States GP
Leclerc, the US GP starts uphill: penalty for power unit change
19/10/2022 AT 15:31
Verstappen: “Winning the World Championship in Suzuka special. Impressive season”
Ferrari, how are you?
On the other side of the fence, Ferrari needs to understand how the car is doing in terms of tire consumption after the introduction of the latest version of the bottom. A test that should have taken place in Suzuka, while the copious Japanese rain has effectively neutralized the data collected. On wet asphalt the F1-75 went into crisis once again, forcing Leclerc (penalty of 5 squares on the grid for replacing the power unit) to a desperate and losing defense on Perez while Verstappen flew away. The dry heat expected in Austin will be another important litmus test for Maranello. Where, however, the outbursts of Carlos Sainz and the ill-concealed jealousy towards the affection that surrounds his partner do not go unnoticed.
Leclerc: “Congratulations to Max for the title but Ferrari needs to improve”
Fia in front of the crossroads
The heavy shadows of the budget cap case remain alongside a GP that will have an important specific weight especially for the second place in the Drivers’ classification, with the Ferrari drivers attacking first of all Sergio Perez’s second Red Bull. With the FIA called to a decision that marks a real watershed for the present and the future of motorsport. It has already been said on several occasions how much of the credibility has already gone with the case itself, and that whatever the decision will be there will be a trail of poisons and potentially lethal suspects. However, a definitive verdict, one way or another, will have to arrive, and the Federation cannot afford to be wrong. A simple fine would be a devastating ‘free all’, a more serious sanction must necessarily take into account the fact that it is now impossible to act retroactively.
Stop Red Bull in the season finale?
According to various rumors, malicious the right, a way out that saves goat and cabbage exists: the exclusion of Red Bull from the last three races of the year (Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi). It would not be a simple fine and it would not be a reduction of the budget in view of 2023 (which would like a lot to the direct rivals Ferrari and Mercedes). It would instead be a ‘strong’ signal, which could put the current season’s Constructors’ title into question and would act as a warning for the future, without compromising Verstappen’s second world champion. But at the moment these are simple rumors, probably fueled primarily by Red Bull, for which the solution would ultimately be not too disadvantageous.
Horner (Red Bull): “Budget Cap? Sure we stayed within limits”
Formula 1
Sainz: “If I don’t let Leclerc win, many get angry”
10/17/2022 AT 12:56 PM
Formula 1
Verstappen: “Maybe in the future I will try different experiences in motorsport”
