U.S. Grand Prix Preview
Company press release.
AUSTIN, Texas - Motor racing in America might be strongly associated with high-speed ovals, but there's been circuit-style action in the U.S. for well over 100 years. The new Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas, was purpose built to keep every fan's motor running thanks to the wide-range of track types dotted around its massive 900-acre landscape.
Opened at the end of 2012 for first race in the U.S. since 2007, the centerpiece of Wandering Creek venue is, of course, the Grand Prix circuit. At 5.5 km, the 20-turn, anticlockwise-running tarmac is about average in length, but with the track rolling like a ribbon over the site's natural undulations up to 40 meters tall, the rise and fall of this Formula One rollercoaster is anything but ordinary. In a flying Infiniti Red Bull Racing RB9 that kind of drop and climb would send a mere mortal's stomach on one seriously wild ride!
As is the case with many of Hermann Tilke's modern Formula One tracks - the prolific designer of the vast majority of new high-speed racing surfaces - the Circuit of the Americas is a pleasing mixture of famous historical bends and complexes. Turns Three through Six remind us of Silverstone's so-fast Maggotts and Becketts complex, while anyone that's cheered the ducking and diving through Hockenheim's bustling stadium section might make a beeline to Turns 16 through 18 to watch the race. And with capacity for 120,000 sun-warmed spectators there's always plenty of noise above the roaring V8 engines.
Pole position and fastest lap for the 2012 inaugural race were taken by Infiniti Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel, but he was pipped to the win by Lewis Hamilton. Riding high on his fourth consecutive Formula One World Drivers' Championship for this year's race, Vettel will be looking to redress the balance. With Vettel and the RB9 racecar winning an incredible seven races on the run up to this Austin GP, that balance is surely already weighted by the German's pace, form and confidence. It should be a great race indeed for the speed-hungry American fans.
Sebastian and Mark look ahead to Austin
Sebastian Vettel - 2012 Qualifying: 1st - 2012 Race: 2nd
'Last year we were all sliding quite a lot because the tarmac was still so new, especially on the tight and twisty bit towards the end. It was sometimes almost more rally style than Formula One, because it was so slippery! The section after the steep hill at the beginning is particularly challenging. Last year it took me quite a while to get my bearings and to position the car correctly.'
Mark Webber - 2012 Qualifying: 3rd - 2012 Race: DNF
'It's a real credit to everyone involved in organizing the inaugural event (last year) that it passed so smoothly. And Austin is a great city, so I see no reason why F1 can't gain a true foothold in the U.S. at this venue. It is an incredible race track, it looked good on paper and lived up to expectations. It's really stimulating to drive with lots of fast corners and some big undulations. There were some initial worries about the length of the first sector because it's long and has a lot of consecutive corners, but I think it's okay. It's very challenging because it's fast and you have to be very precise because it's very difficult to regain lost momentum if you make a mistake.'
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About Infiniti Infiniti Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The Infiniti brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio. As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing, Infiniti has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its four-time World Champion driver, serves as Infiniti's Director of Performance. More information about Infiniti, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.infiniti.com. For the latest news on Infiniti, visit InfinitiNews.com, 'like' Infiniti on Facebook or follow the brand on Twitter @InfinitiUSA. For interesting content on Infiniti in Formula One visit: www.infiniti-gp.com, www.youtube.com/InfinitiGP or follow on Twitter @InfinitiGP. About Infiniti in Formula One Infiniti, the premium automotive brand, starts the 2013 season as Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of Infiniti Red Bull Racing. With a deepened technical collaboration across people, process and technologies, an 'open door' approach is enabling both sides to access a pool of innovation, new technologies and R&D resources in the shared pursuit of precision and performance. Since the partnership's inception in 2011 it has already seen the launch of the Infiniti FX Vettel Edition and product development input from Sebastian Vettel and test driver Sebastien Buemi for the all-new Infiniti Q50 premium sports saloon. Infiniti continues to be the most visible automotive brand in Formula One, and the deepened partnership will ensure closer alignment on an increasing number of future team collaborations.
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