F1 LIVE | First free practice for the 2021 US GP
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It is time for the United States Grand Prix weekend. The Formula One circus races at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. We start with the first free practice. This practice gives the drivers the opportunity to explore the track and get as much data as possible. You can follow this first free practice with the liveblog from GPblog.
LIVEBLOG | First free practice for the 2021 United States Grand Prix
Due to COVID-19, there was no racing in Texas last year. The last time F1 raced here was in 2019. That race was very interesting as Lewis Hamilton secured his sixth world title that day and Max Verstappen managed to take a podium spot. This season the United States GP is on the schedule though and with the high temperatures, it promises to be another weekend full of spectacle.
Mercedes dominant
In recent years Mercedes has been dominant on the Circuit of the Americas. Of the last seven races on this circuit, Mercedes won five times. Hamilton alone managed to win four times for Mercedes here and Bottas was fastest here in 2019. Verstappen, however, never picked up a win. So it will be quite a challenge for the Dutchman and Red Bull Racing to get a good result here.
The first free practice session can already give an indication of the proportions for the rest of the weekend. All the teams will want to make the most of the first hour of practice time. It will therefore be exciting to see who will be the quickest.
Previously in the United States Grand Prix
The United States Grand Prix restarted in the 2012 season after a five-year layoff. The fixture has been on the calendar every season since then, apart from the 2020 edition which was cancelled as a result of COVID-19. When the event returned in 2012, the venue changed. F1 used to visit Indianapolis where the famous Indy500 takes place every year. But in 2012, a deal was struck with the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Lewis Hamilton has won the United States Grand Prix six times. His first win came in his debut season for McLaren in 2007. Aryton Senna and Michael Schumacher are both tied on five wins each. All of Schumacher's wins came at Indianapolis, whereas all of Senna's wins came at previous venues in Phoenix and Detriot. Most of the United States Grands Prix were held at Watkins Glen International Circuit (15 occasions) but the last F1 race took place there in 1975 when Niki Lauda took home the winners trophy.
Just four drivers on the current grid have won races in America. Hamilton is joined by Kimi Raikkonen, Sebastian Vettel and Valtteri Bottas. In terms of the constructors, Lotus have won the most times with 10 victories. Ferrari sit second on eight wins.