Janice R. Andrews
After a four-week break, Formula 1 is returning to action for a fast-paced final run, featuring six races over eight weeks. The United States Grand Prix (US GP) at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas (COTA) stands as a pivotal event for teams vying for an edge, as it presents a crucial opportunity to unveil final upgrades that could shape the season’s outcome. As the 2024 season winds down, Austin becomes the perfect stage for key advancements and testing of new car parts, with significant potential to influence the final standings.
Why Austin is the Last Major Chance for Upgrades
The Austin race kicks off a triple-header, including races in Mexico and Brazil. Logistically, Austin offers the easiest opportunity for teams to introduce new parts. With the season’s window for upgrades rapidly closing, many teams will use this weekend as their last chance to roll out updates.
This six-race dash to the finish is split into two triple-headers: Austin, Mexico, and Brazil, followed by Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. After Austin, opportunities for significant upgrades are limited. Las Vegas, in particular, is an outlier with its low-downforce demands, where teams may opt to reuse their setups from Monza and Baku. By the time the series hits Qatar and Abu Dhabi, introducing new components would likely be too late to make a major impact.
The Last Push for 2024 and Setting the Stage for 2025
Most F1 teams are already turning their attention to next year’s cars, but Austin provides a final opportunity for those with remaining updates to make a last effort in 2024. Teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes are all expected to bring their final upgrades to Austin, marking the last significant changes for the season. As Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur noted, “We already started developing next year’s car and are trying to make the most of small updates. This will probably be the last one for everybody.”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner shared similar views: “It’s a natural point in the year when all teams will bring something to Austin. Ferrari has a sizable upgrade, and I think Mercedes and McLaren will also be bringing something.” This final round of upgrades carries a degree of risk—teams must balance short-term gains with long-term development for 2025. The sprint weekend format in Austin adds to its importance, as teams will have limited practice time to fine-tune their updates.
Sprint Weekends and Tactical Considerations
Sprint weekends, which consist of shortened practice sessions and an additional sprint race, make it challenging for teams to optimize new components. While teams were initially reluctant to introduce updates during these events, they’ve become more comfortable with the format. However, the compressed schedule still forces teams to make quick decisions about setup and performance optimization.
“Austin is a sprint weekend, so you’ve got to hit the ground running,” said Horner. “The entire team has been working extremely hard to address the issues, and we hope to have remedies on the car for Austin.”
The Circuit of the Americas also marks a return to more traditional F1 circuits, with its flowing layout contrasting with low-downforce circuits like Monza and Baku. The high-speed direction changes at COTA will serve as a true test for many teams, particularly Red Bull, which has struggled on similar tracks. Max Verstappen’s second-place finish behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in Singapore highlighted Red Bull’s issues, but Austin’s more conventional layout will give a clearer indication of whether the team has truly corrected its course.
The Battle at the Front: McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari
McLaren currently holds a 41-point lead and is favored to retain that lead based on recent performance. However, Red Bull has shown signs of improvement, and the Austin race will help determine if they’ve resolved their development challenges. Horner has noted that Red Bull’s RB20 car has been harder to develop than anticipated, but COTA’s high-speed sectors could provide the perfect testing ground for the team’s improvements.
Ferrari remains in the fight as well, trailing Red Bull by just 34 points. However, the Scuderia has faced issues with high-speed bouncing on demanding circuits, and Austin will be a critical test for its recent solutions. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz both acknowledge the importance of the weekend. Leclerc said, “We’re seeing the numbers we expected with the new parts, but we still don’t know how close we’ve gotten to McLaren or Red Bull on a normal track.”
Sainz is similarly cautious, stating, “What we need to see is whether it makes a difference at Austin and Brazil, on more traditional tracks.”
Resurfacing and COTA’s Unique Challenges
Adding another layer of complexity to the weekend is the resurfacing of part of the circuit, which will affect tire wear and grip levels. This introduces another variable that could favor some teams over others based on how quickly they can adapt to the new surface.
COTA is also one of the most physically demanding tracks on the calendar. Its first sector features a series of high-speed corners that require cars to have a well-balanced setup between both axles. Teams will need to bring a well-rounded package to excel on this challenging circuit.
Looking Ahead: Vegas and Beyond
While Austin is the primary focus, the upcoming races in Las Vegas and Brazil will also play key roles in shaping the championship battle. Las Vegas, with its low-downforce layout, could benefit teams like Ferrari, while Brazil’s more traditional track will provide another tough challenge for teams vying to end the season on a high note.
Red Bull and Ferrari both have their eyes set on another win before the season closes, but Ferrari’s best chance may come in Las Vegas. Sainz remarked, “Vegas is our next big opportunity,” citing the similarities between the new track and Baku. Still, Austin remains the most crucial weekend in determining the pecking order for the final races.
Conclusion: A Crucial Weekend for 2024 and Beyond
The United States Grand Prix at Austin is shaping up to be one of the most critical races of the 2024 F1 season. Teams are bringing their final upgrades, making their last push for success, and hoping to gain an advantage that could carry them through the rest of the year. Whether Red Bull can rebound, Ferrari can resolve its bouncing issues, or McLaren can hold onto its lead, the outcome at Austin will set the tone for the remainder of the season. Teams are not only racing for success in 2024 but also laying the groundwork for what’s to come in 2025.
