NASCAR COTA Preview
The first Grand Prix after the 2022 World Driver Champion was crowned will take place this weekend in Texas at the Circuit of the Americas.
This will be the 51st time the Circuit of the Americas has been held on the F1 calendar. Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most victories as a driver with six, and Ferrari holds the record for most victories as a team with ten.
After winning the championship at the Japan Grand Prix, Max Verstappen will be looking to tie the record for most wins in an F1 season at 13, set by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.
Red Bull will also be looking to secure the Constructors Championship this weekend, as long as both Verstappen and Sergio Perez finish ahead of the two Ferrari drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Red Bull is still being investigated by the FIA for their cost cap breach in 2021, with several team principals coming out and demanding consequences for the team.
As for Charles Leclerc, he is in a fierce battle with Sergio Perez for second place in the Driver’s Championship.
Perez holds a one point lead over Leclerc, with 253 points to his 252. These last few races will be crucial for the two drivers, and it all starts this weekend in Texas.
For the first time since 2015, there will be an American driver participating in the Grand Prix, albeit only for free practice.
Logan Seargant will be driving for Williams during FP1 to fill the team’s mandatory rookie outings.
The 21-year-old Formula 2 driver currently sits third in the standings, and has been rumored to join the William’s team for several weeks now.
Another team with rumors swirling around their garage is Haas, who will be performing in their official home race this weekend.
Last season the two Haas drivers Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin finished 16th and 17th respectively to round out a disappointing weekend for the home constructors.
With Kevin Magnussen now locked out for the next few years, all eyes rest on Mick Schumacher and his end of year performance.
Schumacher is yet to be signed to a contract by a team for next year, and Haas has been rumored to be signing Nico Hulkenburg to their team for 2023.
These last four races are crucial for Schumacher’s future in F1, with only the Haas seat and one Williams seat left to be filled for the next season.
Even with the Championship locked up for Max Verstappen, this weekend is shaping up to be yet another dominant performance by the Dutch driver. He won the COTA last season, don’t be surprised if he pulls out a repeat performance for this season.
Joshua Bartosik is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jsb6137@psu.edu.
