2023-10-22 01:03:55
The first of the five final races of the Formula 1 World Championship is here. The United States GP is here. Austin, Texas arrives. The second of the three events that F1 has in 2023 on American soil is here. The most difficult one is coming for Aston Martin. The most difficult for Fernando Alonso.
Because Aston Martin has hit rock bottom. Yes, it seemed to have touched it a few races ago but no. It wasn’t the bottom. It was not the top floor. It wasn’t the basement yet. There was still one more floor. One they have visited in Austin. Because in Austin, on Austin Friday, the real situation of AMR23 was seen.
That of a car, that of a team, which in the US is not even a joke what it was in Bahrain. Or in Saudi Arabia. Or in Canada. No, not even close. It’s not even a shadow. It is not there to compete with Red Bull. Not even with Ferrari. Nor with McLaren. It is for what it is.
As in 2022
He is, or was, about to fall with both cars in Q1. It is, or was, in a situation similar to that of 2022. Like before the winter ‘miracle’. The one in which they were rarely in Q2 and even more so in Q3. Yes, step by step backwards until it seems only the Williams are left.
And they have brought improvements to the US. Improvements that, yes, they have practically not been able to test. Austin was and is a bad place knowing that there is a sprint. Knowing that the three Free Practice sessions are reduced to one. And it’s even more of a bad place when after one lap fire starts coming out of the left front tire.
That’s how it’s complicated. And so it happened. That Alonso is only ahead of Albon and Sargeant. And Stroll, but Lance is no longer news or novelty. There have been five consecutive races that the Canadian has been watching Q2 and Q3 sitting in the box… and that does not help Aston Martin in its fight with McLaren.
Options for Sainz, but…
The ‘sorpasso’ has been around since Japan. Since some were going backwards and the others did nothing but score points and make the podium with their two drivers. Yes, with both. Not with one. But with both. With both. As a team. Like what the Silverstone brand has been missing so much with a Stroll who, remember, is the son of the team’s owner.
They both leave behind. In front, in front of everyone, Charles Leclerc. And in fourth place, Carlos Sainz. This is a good and beautiful opportunity for the Madrid native to paint a podium red again. So that his Ferrari can win and, who knows, if he can compete for victory in Austin… although with the Monegasque driver ahead of him, that option will be very complicated.
Verstappen out of position
It will be a nice race, because Max Verstappen, champion and with the almighty Red Bull at his hands, goes out of position. Thus, he will have to press the accelerator well and leave the occasional pass on a track where overtaking is by no means a pipe dream.
In Texas, the same as always. Be very careful with the first corner, which is usually the first sieve of the test, and enjoy those fast links that Austin has. And also with an increasingly enthusiastic public about the world of Formula 1.
Schedule and where to watch the US race
The United States Grand Prix race will begin on Sunday, October 22 at 9:00 p.m. in Spanish peninsular time, one hour less in the Canary Islands, and can be seen on TV on ‘DAZN’. On the laSexta website we will be living everything up to the minute, from the preview to the impressions of each driver with special attention to Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz.
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