United States Grand Prix Predictions: Max Verstappen set to dominate

Phillip Horton

20 October 2022

Formula One’s 2022 season is gradually heading towards its conclusion as the scheduled American stint commences at the United States Grand Prix.

There was a period where Formula One struggled to find a foothold in the United States and explored various venues to little success, but that all changed when Austin arrived in 2012. A purpose-built facility was constructed on the outskirts of the Texan capital and it swiftly established itself as one of the most popular grands prix on the calendar.

The lively and quirky downtown Austin was complemented by the challenge and spectacle of the aptly-named Circuit of the Americas. The 20-turn circuit drew inspiration from some other locations, including a sequence of rapid changes of direction in the first sector, a ‘stadium’ section designed for side-by-side action, and a multi-apex corner that takes drivers past the iconic COTA tower.

However, the circuit’s showpiece is no doubt the steep rise to the first turn hairpin, which is dubbed ‘Big Red’. The drivers face a wall of tarmac as they approach a corner that entices overtaking opportunities. COTA duly grew in popularity over the years and is now among the most recognisable sporting venues in the USA.

Strong venue for Lewis Hamilton

The US has long been a happy hunting ground for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who spends swathes of his free time in the country.

Hamilton won on Austin’s debut in 2012 after taking victory at the prior US Grand Prix in Indianapolis in 2007. The Brit went on to rack up four successive wins from 2014 through 2017.

He has finished on the podium each year since - he took third in 2018 before successive runner-up classifications in 2019 and 2021, either side of the event’s Covid-related absence. This was also the venue at which Hamilton secured his third title in 2015, and sixth title in 2019. Only once, when he was fifth in 2013, has Hamilton left Austin without a trophy.

However, the performance of this year’s Mercedes W13 and its loathing of bumpy circuits such as Austin, means Hamilton is unlikely to be in contention for pole position or race victory.

Max Verstappen aims for record

Max Verstappen arrives at the US Grand Prix as the newly-crowned two-time Formula One World Champion. It means that for the first time in his career he has no championship considerations to ponder.

Verstappen claimed victory at last year’s US Grand Prix and also took the win upon Formula One’s first 2022 visit to American soil in Miami in May.

He has also taken 12 victories from 18 grands prix this year, which includes six of the last seven races and the most recent race in Japan. Consequently, Verstappen starts this weekend as the firm favourite. If he wins again, Verstappen will equal the record number of victories in a season (13), previously set by Michael Schumacher (2004) and Sebastian Vettel (2013).