FORMULA 1 - 2012

[MIKA27]

Scudamore to replace Bernie?

According to reports in the British press, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore is leading the line to replace Bernie Ecclestone.

At 82 and facing the possibility of a handsome fine and perhaps prosecution for his role in the Gerhard Gribkowsky saga, the F1 supremo may leave his post as president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration sooner rather than later.

Should the Briton decide to do so, Scudamore has been touted as a possible replacement with the Daily Mail stating that: "CVC say they are not yet looking for a replacement for Ecclestone but have drawn up a list of those they would approach if Ecclestone is forced to stand down or decided to do so - and Scudamore is said to be one of them.

"Scudamore's stock in the sports industry is high with the Premier League on course to collect £5billion from their global television rights."

However, the paper went on to add that it would take an exceptional offer to pry him away from the Premier League.

[MIKA27]

Sauber set for Chelsea boost

Sauber look set to reap the rewards of their partnership with Premier League outfit Chelsea after the club announced that a large joint venture is in the pipeline.

The Swiss team confirmed in April that they would be joining forces with the London club in a partnership that would see the two entities launch joint commercial activities and cross-promote their brands.

The deal was something of a coup for Sauber as while they may be the fourth oldest of the existing teams, they are not viewed as one of the more glamorous of teams.

According to Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay, the two brands will soon confirm their first joint sponsorship.

"The first commercial joint venture will be announced in two months' time," Gourlay told delegates at the International Football Arena in Zurich.

"You are going to see some results of the partnership very soon. We both want to be winners in our field and have the same values. Through our relationship with Sauber, we can go into 19 different markets in one season."

[MIKA27]

Di Resta: We can't catch Sauber

Force India's Paul di Resta concedes that the team may have to settle for seventh in the Constructors' Championship.

The Silverstone-based outfit secured their best ever finish in 2011, coming home in sixth, just four points behind Renault after a strong second half of the season.

They have built on that form this year, but despite already having collected 26 more points than they did last time out, other teams have experienced even greater improvements.

The team currently find themselves on 95 points, 29 behind sixth-placed Sauber with only two races remaining in the season and di Resta admits that they may have to settle for seventh.

"I think, under normal circumstances, you'd probably say Sauber are out of reach," he said.

However, the Scot is confident that they will see off any challenge that may arise from Williams whom they have 22-point lead over.

"Williams looked good in Abu Dhabi, but I think we're in a strong enough position to defend from them."

[MIKA27]

Hamilton wants repeat performance

Lewis Hamilton was victorious the last time that Formula One graced the shores of the USA and he's hopeful of repeating the feat on its return.

The McLaren driver recorded his second grand prix win at Indianapolis in 2007 in what was his debut season in Formula One.

After a four-year absence from the F1 calendar, the US Grand Prix is back in the mix, this time at the Circuit of Americas in Austin and Hamilton admits that he's excited to be racing in the USA once more.

"It's crazy to think that the last United States Grand Prix was five years ago!" said the Briton.

"It's a race I still remember like yesterday, though. For me, those were incredible, thrilling times.

"I have to admit - I'm absolutely made-up that we're going back to the States," he added.

"It's a fantastic country and a place where our sport truly deserves to be. I think the Circuit Of The Americas looks like it could also be the place that modern Formula 1 finally calls home.

The 27-year-old is yet to get a lap in around the new track but likes what he's seen on the simulator.

"I've only driven it on the computer and in the sim, but I think it's going to be a track that drivers enjoy, which produces some great, close racing, and which fans will quickly love," he explained.

"This is a new circuit, a new challenge and a new opportunity - I'm definitely looking to be the first grand prix winner at the Circuit of The Americas."

[MIKA27]

VETTEL VS ALONSO: WHO HAS DONE THE BETTER JOB THIS SEASON?

And so it comes to this: Two races in eight days to decide the outcome of the 2012 world championship. It’s been a long road to this point, but which of the two drivers has done a better job? Here I present an analysis of what has led us to this point.

The margin between them is small at 10 points. But it will be all over this weekend if Vettel wins with Alonso 5th or lower. It can also be settled if Vettel is 2nd with Alonso 9th or lower or if Vettel is 3rd and Alonso is out of the points.

Experience this season with Red Bull’s alternator problems and the two start line accidents in Spa and Suzuka which cost Alonso so dearly, tell us that there are no foregone conclusions. This is motor racing and anything can happen.

A few weeks ago we looked at the battle between Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel for the right to be the only three times world champion in the field next season.

There’s a good, comprehensive piece this week by Andrew Benson on the BBC F1 Website looking at which of the two drivers in contention for the world championship this weekend is the more deserving of the crown and that is worth some consideration at this stage.

Today 1978 world champion Mario Andretti, who serves as an ambassador of the new US Grand Prix at Austin, has commented on both Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel

“I have a very high opinion of Fernando and I often send him messages. He is a driver to appreciate for his determination and intelligence. For Ferrari he’s been doing the impossible. It will not be easy for him to take points off Vettel, but I’m not giving up.”

Meanwhile of Vettel he says, I’ve met him, he’s a great kid and a top class driver. He will be one of the greats.”

Ferrari has not won a race or been on pole since Germany in July. It may be too little too late, but Ferrari has been straight line aero testing this week with Jules Bianchi in Spain, trying out revised versions of solutions which were seen in Abu Dhabi as well as other new ideas, no doubt.

Ferrari’s development has been its Achilles Heel this season; the car has been through some positive development stages, but the team was unable to sustain the rapid growth which Red Bull managed to bring through, largely due to inefficiencies in the wind tunnel at Maranello, following its upgrade from 50% to 60%. This painful infrastructure upgrade is one which has also cost Mercedes this season, although they hope that the pain is now behind them as they seek to build Lewis Hamilton a winning car for next year.

No doubt if Red Bull wins both titles there will be dark murmurings in the aftermath about them spending far more money than the others to achieve it. And it is a great shame for the sport that the teams have failed to police a cost controls.

Both men have driven superbly – as have Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen – but we should consider two areas in particular: car pace relative to the fastest qualifier and results relative to qualifying position.

Who had the faster car this year?

In terms of pure car pace, if we look at the fastest lap from both drivers in qualifying at the 18 rounds so far, Vettel has had the faster car on 12 occasions.

Taking an average of the gap to pole for the 18 races, Vettel has been 0.43s off pole while Alonso has been 0.6s off. So the big picture is that the Red Bull hasn’t been that much faster a car this year.

However, in the five races since Monza, Vettel has had an average qualifying advantage over Alonso of 0.5 secs.

Looking at the season as a whole, Vettel has had an advantage of 0.26 secs, factoring in the days when Alonso was faster.

Breaking that down further; of the races that Vettel has had the faster car he has been on average 0.57secs faster in qualifying.

Of the six races where Alonso had the faster car he has qualified 0.358 secs faster than Vettel.

Who has done a better job in races?

Looking next at how they converted their qualifying positions into results, Vettel converted pole into a win on three out of five occasions. He made up places from his grid slot on eight occasions, gaining a total of 22 places from his grid slot in races where he started behind pole. (Plus in Abu Dhabi he made up another 22 places after being forced to start from the pit lane).

He lost places from his grid slot on two occasions (3 places in Canada and Germany), then had two technical retirements and a collision in Malaysia.

Alonso, in contrast, made up places on 12 occasions, gaining a total of 48 places in races where he started behind pole. He also had two DNFs and two races (Canada and GB) where he lost places from his starting slot. He had two poles and converted one to a win.

Alonso’s average gain of four places compared to Vettel’s 2.75 places gained is one of the main reasons why Alonso is even in the championship hunt today.

[MIKA27]

'Vettel reacts like a child'

Jacques Villeneuve believes that World Champion Seb Vettel still behaves in an immature manner and has a lot of growing up to do.

Vettel and Fernando Alonso are currently fighting it out for this year's title, with the former holding a 10-point lead heading into the penultimate race of the year, but Villeneuve has no doubts about who he believes is the deserved winner of the Championship.

Despite coming from the back of the grid to finish third last time out in Abu Dhabi, Villeneuve feels that Vettel is a near one trick pony, only able to win when he starts from the front of the pack.

"For me, it has confirmed what I think about Vettel," Villeneuve told Autosprint of the race in Abu Dhabi. "These are facts: while recovering from the back, he first got in contact with Senna who was ahead of him and damaged his front wing.

"Then he lost control of his car and crashed under the safety car. A very serious error that had light consequences. As for the rest, he has shown to be super quick, but he was lucky and I'm not changing my mind: Alonso deserves the 2012 title more."

When it comes to a head to head comparison between the two, Villeneuve is of the opinion that Alonso is superior mentally and emotionally, meaning that the Ferrari man is a better driver who is able to react effectively to different situations.

"I have no doubts: Fernando Alonso is the best, that's why I root for him," said the 1997 title winner.

"Seb is super quick, but there is a difference with Fernando that emerges in case of an unfavourable situation.

"Alonso remains calm, cool, and rational, while Vettel most of times gets upset, angry, screams and flicks the middle finger. He reacts like a child.

"These behaviours indicate two different states of maturity but, let's be clear, Sebastian is an ace too; however, he struggles more in critical situations.

"He looks almost unbeatable when he leads, but if he needs to catch up he becomes vulnerable."

[MIKA27]

Hua chasing F1 future

Ma Qing Hua is determined to remain in F1 despite the uncertainty surrounding HRT after the team was put up for sale.

Hua became China's first F1 driver when he took part in Friday's practice sessions at the Italian and Singapore races with HRT.

However, the team has since been put up for sale by investment group Thesan Capital, who claim they have a "number of groups interested in buying the team."

But whatever happens with the backmarker outfit, Hua is hoping to continue in Formula One.

"No matter who will be the boss, the team is still there. So what I need to focus on now is to improve myself through training," he told Fujian's Southeastern Express.

Meanwhile, his manager Jin Yong even went as far as to claim that the Chinese driver will be in action at next season's Chinese GP.

"No matter who the boss is, Ma will definitely compete in next year's F1 race in Shanghai," Jin said.

[MIKA27]

'Kamui doesn't need sponsorship'

Monisha Kaltenborn has denied that Kamui Kobayashi needs sponsorship in order to retain his Sauber race-seat.

At present, Sauber have confirmed only one driver for next season with Nico Hulkenberg replacing the McLaren-bound Sergio Perez.

However, the team has several drivers wanting their second seat including Mexico's Esteban Gutierrez who has the support of Sauber sponsor Carlos Slim.

This prompted some speculation that Kobayashi required financial backing in order to save his seat, something the Japanese spoke of at length.

Sauber, though, insist this is not the situation.

Asked whether Kobayashi needed sponsorship, Kaltenborn said: "No.

"We didn't even do that at the end of 2010 when, with regards to running the team, we were starting from scratch again.

"At that time we took him for his pure skills and he brought no sponsor along. We got nothing.

"So I don't think it's right to now suddenly make it an issue, and there is no pressure on him. It's about what he does on the track."

The new Sauber team boss added that Kobayashi would be judged on his three years with the team and not on his performance in the final two races of this season.

"We're not going to take the last two races and see if he is good or bad, whether it's a plus or a minus point. That's not fair to him.

"He's been with us three years now and we know him very well.

"When he came into Formula One we gave him the trust required - without any baggage - to show he is a very talented driver.

"From that perspective he should know the teams knows him well and trusts him."

[MIKA27]

'No rush' for Force India

Force India team principal Vijay Mallya insists his team is not in a rush to replace Nico Hulkenberg for next year's Championship.

Although Paul di Resta is expected to be staying on at Force India next season, the Scot is in need of a new team-mate after Hulkenberg signed with Sauber.

There are several drivers in the running for the position, including former drivers Adrian Sutil and Jaime Alguersuari as well as Force India's current reserve driver Jules Bianchi. Marussia's Charles Pic has also been linked to the team in recent weeks.

But for now all four driver will have to wait as Mallya is in no hurry to confirm his 2013 line-up.

"We have traditionally waited until the end of the season to confirm our line-up and I expect we will stick to this schedule," said Mallya.

"With the state of the driver market at the moment there is no rush to make an announcement.

"We have a shortlist and will take our time to make sure we have the fastest drivers available in our cars next season."

[MIKA27]

Button: McLaren hold the advantage

Jenson Button believes McLaren could have a slight advantage over their rivals in Austin on Friday as the Woking team has the "best" simulator in F1.

Arriving at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin for this weekend's United States GP, none of the drivers have ever put in a lap of the new 5.513km track.

Many, though, will head onto the track for Friday's first practice with some knowledge of the layout having already put in laps on their teams' simulators.

But with one of the most advance in F1, Button reckons McLaren could have the edge.

"If anyone knows [the track], probably we're the ones that know the best because probably our simulator is the best on the grid," he told Sky Sports F1.

"We have a good feeling for the circuit. It's very tough on the cars and the tyres - especially the first sector. Turn One to Turn Nine is very fast and it's just changes of direction all the way through."

The Brit expects McLaren will do well as the track should suit their MP4-27, however, expects a tough battle with the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and F1's most recent winner, Lotus.

"Our car seems to work well in that environment, and then you've got a lot of slow corners towards the end of the lap.

"We should be competitive here but I'm sure Red Bull will be, I'm sure Ferrari will be and Lotus.

"So it be a competitive race and that's what we want as well - we don't want one person to go away [at the front] and win this grand prix."

This weekend's race marks the penultimate round of the Championship, which Button admits has not been an easy one for him.

However, he believes next season's car will be more suited to his style.

"For me this year has been more difficult than the last two years.

"The car is quick, we've proved that on many occasions. But for consistency for me it's been a little bit more difficult to get the results.

"The car next year should suit me a bit more, which I'm very excited about."

[MIKA27]

Alonso: Just focused on us

Fernando Alonso says he's feeling "more relaxed" and "much more focused" than he has done during previous title fights.

The Ferrari driver arrived at the penultimate race of the season, the United States GP in Texas, with a 10-point deficit to Sebastian Vettel in the standings.

This, though, is not the first time that the Spaniard has found himself in the thick of the battle come the end of the season.

"I'm much more relaxed, much more focused," said the Ferrari driver.

"In 2006, I arrived in the last race fighting with Michael (Schumacher) in Brazil and it was quite stressful, quite an intense weekend and not easy to get focused or to sleep or things like that, as it was a very emotional weekend.

"The year after, 2007, it was also a very stressful last race, three of us fighting for the World Champion: Lewis, Kimi and me and it was also a stressful weekend and not easy to do things.

"In 2010, we arrived in Abu Dhabi fighting for the Championship in the last race. I was much more calm there and more confident in things.

"The race was what it was and we didn't win in the end but feeling-wise we were much more prepared."

He added: "It's the fourth time we have been fighting for the World Championship up to the last race - hopefully - and you really feel the difference.

"Being much more focused, concentrated, trying to do the job and understanding that if you do everything perfectly you have a chance; if you make a mistake you will lose the chance, so let's focus on us."

But despite fighting for the title - and doing so at a brand new track - the 32-year-old insists Ferrari will not change their approach for this weekend's Texas race.

"Nothing really changed in terms of preparation and approach for the weekend. Maximum concentration, maximum effort from everybody in the team.

"Preparing some new parts that we are bringing every grand prix and hopefully that we can test them tomorrow and have some feedback about that.

"Try to do our very good, smooth Friday, good test and here, maybe more important than some other circuits, to do a lot of laps, to learn the racing lines, the possibilities and some... maybe tricks... that the circuit can have.

"And a good Saturday, try to be in the best position possible for the race and 58 or 60 or whatever laps, qualifying laps, Sunday try to score as many points as possible. Exactly the same as every other weekend."

[MIKA27]

Hamilton does not regret Merc deal

Lewis Hamilton has refuted suggestions by his current team boss that he is regretting his decision to sign with Mercedes.

A long-time protégé of McLaren and then a F1 driver with the team for six years, Hamilton is leaving Woking at the end of this season to head to Brackley in a three-year deal.

However, since announcing the swap, Mercedes have not scored a single World Championship point and languish down in fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.

This prompted McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh to say he thinks Hamilton "on occasions" regrets the decision to change teams.

The Brit, though, says this is not true.

"I was a little bit surprised to hear that," Hamilton said when asked about Whitmarsh's comments. "It's clearly not the case.

"But I've got a great team and I've been with them a long time.

"I'm sure everyone has emotions within the team, but I'm still here giving 100 percent to them for the last two races.

"Of course it's quite emotional for me but I'm very, very happy with my decision."

Joined by the title contenders, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso, for Thursday's press conference in Austin, Hamilton was asked for his thoughts on missing out.

"It is what it is. I'm happy just to be here fighting in the last two races for my team," the 2008 World Champ said.

"I just want to do the best job. We can still fight them, even though we are not fighting for the Championship.

As for the Championship duo, the 27-year-old reckons they are dealing with the pressure remarkably well.

"It's amazing to see how much focus they have considering how much pressure is on - they are both World Champions and they both handle it without a problem."

[MIKA27]

2013 DRS to be limited during qualifying

The FIA's Charlie Whiting has confirmed that the drag-reduction-system (DRS) will be limited during practice and qualifying.

At present the system can be used whenever and wherever a driver wishes on both Friday and Saturday, but the system is limited to specified 'activation' zones during the race.

Next season that will change, with the system only available within the specified 'race zones' during all three practice sessions and the qualifying sessions for safety reasons according to Whiting.

"We are going to prohibit the use of the DRS during practice and qualifying except in the places where it's going to be used in the race," confirmed the FIA's technical delegate.

"It's something that we told the teams about the other day, that we are doing it for safety reasons."

[MIKA27]

Webber blasts new podium procedure

Mark Webber isn't a fan of the new-for-2012 podium procedure which includes a standardised structure, electronic flags and driver interviews.

In fact the Australian blasted certain parts of the process which he believes should present a chance for the fans to enjoy the drivers celebrating their success.

"I certainly wasn't impressed in Silverstone with 1,000 dignatories up there," he said in the Austin paddock. "I think the podium should be for the drivers, no one else.

"A clear shot of celebration of the drivers and what they have achieved. Not having everyone stand in front and having their five minutes. That pissed me off."

In addition, the Red Bull driver isn't keen on the electronic flags, but is yet undecided on the interviews which are conducted by past drivers.

"You need real flags," he added. "The electronic flags look rubbish. You need real flags waving in the wind.

"Drivers [being interviewed] on the podium...? I am 50/50 on that," he concluded.

[rckymtn22]

Hamilton may not be regretting the move now but he will. If a 7-time champion is not able to make Mercedes win then how is a one time guy going to?

[MIKA27]

FIA to introduce stricter front-wing tests in 2013

The FIA will introduce more rigorous tests from 2013 onwards in a bid to combat the current exploitation of flexible bodywork in the area ahead of the front tyres.

In particular, the governing body will introduce stricter front-wing load tests in response to the increasing claims that some teams are skirting the rules.

The current test sees a 1,000N force applied to the wing 790mm ahead of the forward centre line - this test has been revised on two occasions already to catch teams out, but the FIA believes some teams are managing to design their wings specifically to pass the test without flexing, whilst still benefitting on track.

FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting, speaking in Austin, explained the reasons behind the new tests which will come into force in 2013.

"I think rigidity, or lack of it, on some front wings has been the subject of a lot of discussion," he said. "We've attempted to introduce some new tests, which not only tests its vertical deflection but also torsional stiffness of the front wing as well. And we're going to take a step further next year as well.

"At the moment we apply the load at 790mm forward of the front axle. We are going to move that forward 15cm and back 15cm – so we will do two tests [rather than one]."

Whiting also responded to speculation over Red Bull's 'soft' nosecone which could be seen twisting in a video taken during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as an engineer removed it for a replacement during a pit-stop.

"What you saw on the Red Bull at the last race was extreme, as they had cameras on that part and the guy was actually twisting those cameras to try and get the nose off," he explained.

"I think if other cars had cameras mounted in those places and they did the same thing to get the nose off then they would do something very similar.

"We are satisfied that the Red Bull car is no more flexible than anybody else in that area so it was a rather strange phenomenon which I don't think anyone was expecting to see – but there was a perfectly logical explanation for it."

[MIKA27]

Hamilton may not be regretting the move now but he will. If a 7-time champion is not able to make Mercedes win then how is a one time guy going to?

I completely agree with you 100%

However in saying this also, SURELY 2013 Mercedes should be better after the last 3 awful years where Schumacher and Rosberg have had to put up with a completely unreliable car AND team. MSC has had 5 DNF's at the hands of Mercedes this season alone which is not great. No wonder he didn't want to extend for another 2 seasons.

[MIKA27]

US GRAND PRIX PREVIEW: WILL AUSTIN BE WEIRD?

F1's final frontier. Its unfinished business. Its itch that it just can't scratch.

Call it what you will, but that's F1 in America. And this weekend we'll see the start of the sport's latest attempt to crack the States. And, what do you know, this time there seems to be a better than usual chance of getting it right.

Austin will be the tenth US venue to host an F1 race (and that's a record, France is next up with 'just' seven different venues), and that number betrays F1's repeated attempts at setting its roots down in the US. It also betrays that, one way or another, the sport has managed to make a pig's ear of it every single time.

America is important to F1. Like it or not it's absurd that anything purporting to be a world championship should turn its back on the USA, indeed on the American continents, with the alacrity that F1 has in recent years. The potential benefits to F1, in terms of fan base, commerce and investment, of getting it right in America are considerable. And this, hopefully, will just be the start with New Jersey due to join to the calendar in 2014 and rounds in Mexico, Argentina, maybe even the Caribbean, rumoured to join also in the years ahead.

And, contrary to the claims of some who should know better, there is no inherent reason for F1 to fail in the US. Anyone who knows about F1 races at Watkins Glen and Long Beach could tell you that, as could those who know where F1's record race day attendance anywhere was assembled (it was Indianapolis in 2000 - some quarter of a million people were there that day). Indeed, any glance around F1-related social media will reveal many US-based F1 fans.

And, as mentioned, there are reasons to think that this effort to crack America has much greater potential of success than most previous forays. For the first time ever F1 has its own venue in the US purpose built for the sport; no half-hearted up-one-block-turn-left-down-another-block-turn-right route sketched through a city centre (or through a car park - titter ye not, that actually happened) where the F1 car can barely get above a canter. And it's F1's first visit to a permanent US road circuit since the days of the Glen, surely a good sign.

And the Austin track looks like an excellent one: undulating, varied and challenging. The first section is especially so and clearly it borrows from the Becketts complex at Silverstone, and is also a little Suzuka-reminiscent, while a corner modelled on Turkey's turn eight is later in the lap. Those in attendance will surely see F1 cars at their full capability.

The venue city is also interesting. Austin by all accounts isn't perhaps what you'd immediately associate with Texas, rather it's eclectic, diverse and expressive. Indeed, it's a college city with a wide variety of inhabitants and is a place that prides itself on its 'weirdness' ('Keep Austin Weird' is a local motto), and also models itself as 'The Live Music Capital of the World'. Whether it takes to F1 or not remains to be seen (it's already been reported that some environmentally-minded locals are less than thrilled), but that it's a diverse and outward-looking city used to welcoming people and putting on large events is a very good place to start. Plus, Austin is a sister city with Adelaide (one of the most popular F1 stop-offs of modern history), which if it does represent an omen can only be an encouraging one.

Of course, Austin can count on many to attend from further afield in America, and that the facility is named 'Circuit of the Americas' is also no coincidence: the track is courting fans from Mexico and the rest of Central America too. And we know there are plenty of those. Indeed a crowd close to a 120,000 strong sell-out is expected on Sunday, along with plenty through the gates on the other days.

So, an important weekend for F1 on the macro level. But it'll be equally important on the micro level, with the much more immediate matter of who'll win the 2012 drivers' title likely to make a giant stride forward. In a country famous for its frontier past and wild west, rather appropriately many will view this weekend's action in terms of the stand off between championship contenders Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso.

In most ways, Vettel continues to have the upper hand. Not only does he have a ten point advantage (with only 50 points left) he has that vital sporting commodity called momentum. The Red Bull's been strong, usually dominant, pretty much everywhere in recent weeks, and not even starting at the back last time out in Abu Dhabi seriously altered the championship picture by the race's end.

You further feel that the Red Bull car, given Austin's quick and varied corners, should eat much of the track alive. Another factor that should play into its hands, and not of its Alonso/Ferrari rival, is that you feel qualifying will be important at Austin. Pirelli has again gone conservative with its tyre selections (medium and hard), meaning pits stops will be few (one-stoppers are again expected, though the pit lane is short so some may be tempted to go for two) and thus opportunity to make places through pit strategy or varying tyre degradation will be limited. Plus the quick turns, beautiful though they are, may split the field apart due to the problems of turbulence in traffic, meaning cars could drop out of DRS range of the car ahead (it's a pity generally that Austin's first F1 race has a number of factors that may make it a relatively tepid watch). As we know, it's been in qualifying especially that the Prancing Horse has been short of breath trying to keep up with the Bull.

If Vettel wins on Sunday then it's hard to see how he can be stopped for title honours, as it'll leave him 17 points ahead at least with just 25 left available. And Alonso will need fourth place as a minimum to keep his title hunt alive, mathematically anyway. Worse for Ferrari, there are a few contenders that could get between Alonso and Vettel this weekend: Mark Webber could of course, as might the McLarens, good all year aerodynamically and Lewis Hamilton looks to be in particularly good from right now. Lotus, complete with Coanda-style exhausts, showed an upturn in pace in Abu Dhabi and will likely be strong, while the likes of Sauber and Williams have also shown up well on these sort of tracks this season.

So, what is there for Ferrari to cling to? Well, for one thing the Ferrari has also been pretty good around quick turns this year. Indeed, even during the car's difficult infant steps pace around quick corners was something it was good at. The team has completed another straightline test in recent days and sounds optimistic (though I think I've heard that one before somewhere). But most of all it of course has the mesmeric Alonso on its side, which usually means making the absolute best of things and getting at least close to the podium positions even if the car by rights shouldn't be there. Plus, there's apparently a one in five chance of rain on race day. Austin would indeed be an appropriate place for something weird to happen.

And while we're talking about weird happenings, Allan McNish is correct to say that that it won't be at all ideal for Vettel to go to the final round Interlagos with the title still in the balance. As we've seen repeatedly, Interlagos is a track where things happen. Sometimes it rains, sometimes it's even stranger goings on than that.

So, perhaps the Austin race, like the city, will have more to it than initial assumptions may lead one to believe. And Fernando Alonso, along with those keen for the title fight to go down to the Interlagos wire, will be particularly minded of the desire to Keep Austin Weird.

[MIKA27]

Formula 1 seeks to end 'force majeure' rule ambiguity

Formula 1 chiefs are considering revising the qualifying rules for next season to remove ambiguity over what is a justifiable reason for cars not completing their in-laps.

At the moment, drivers have to make their way back to the pits under their own power unless there is a case of 'force majeure' that stops them.

In Abu Dhabi, Red Bull successfully argued that the fear of an engine failure caused by Sebastian Vettel potentially running out of fuel was a case of 'force majeure' - even though it was subsequently found that not enough petrol had gone into the car.

Earlier this year, Lewis Hamilton was thrown to the back of the grid at the Spanish Grand Prix after McLaren failed to put enough fuel in his car – and their pleas that it was 'force majeure' were not accepted.

The two situations prompted the matter to be talked about by teams at a meeting of the FIA's Technical Working Group last week – and it is likely the rules will be changed for 2013.

F1 race director Charlie Whiting said: "I think that episode has brought up a number of questions that have been addressed.

"We discussed it last week in the TWG and the consensus of opinion is to remove the term 'force majeure' and make it clear what is allowed and is not allowed.

"I think we will probably end up with a rule that doesn't mention force majeure and simply says that if you stop on the circuit you have to have enough fuel in the car.

"The FIA will calculate how much you would have used if you had completed the lap and, if it does not add up to 1.42 litres or whatever it is, that is that. That is a logical way of going about it, I think."

[MIKA27]

Marussia poised for 2013 F1 breakthrough - Graeme Lowdon

Marussia sporting director Graeme Lowdon believes his team is now "on a roll" and poised for a breakthrough 2013 Formula 1 season - especially if it can hang on to 10th in the constructors' championship.

The former Virgin squad has been edging closer to main rival Caterham during the 2012 campaign, and is now ahead in the standings thanks to Timo Glock's 12th place in the Singapore Grand Prix.

Marussia's year got off to a troubled start when delays in passing final crash tests meant its only pre-season running was a short 'filming' outing at Silverstone.

With the team poised to use KERS for the first time in 2013, and with its new technical structure bedding in, Lowdon reckons there are solid reasons why next year will be a far better season.

"The whole team both at Banbury and the track have worked so hard under very, very difficult circumstances [in 2012]," he told AUTOSPORT.

"No testing, everyone knows our budget is way, way less [than most rivals'], but I think we're on a development roll and everyone's more excited about the 2013 prospects.

"The tech regs are staying similar-ish. We're bolting KERS on, we know how many tenths it's going to bring.

"The aero work looks really good for next year's car as well and everyone's really excited about where the team's going."

Providing a Caterham does not finish 12th or higher in either of the season's two remaining grands prix, Marussia will secure 10th in the championship and the financial boost that goes with it.

Lowdon fears the finale in Brazil will be the major threat to Marussia's position, both because of Caterham's KERS advantage and the increased likelihood of a chaotic race.

"The assumption was that Brazil would be the joker that could throw anything up," said Lowdon.

"It's a massive advantage having KERS in Brazil because you're at altitude. So we know they'll have a straightforward advantage in horsepower and plenty of chances to use it."

[MIKA27]

Schumi compromised by tyre issues

Michael Schumacher has revealed that two separate tyre issues put paid to any chance he had of charging up the timesheets in Austin.

Putting in the laps around the Circuit of the Americas track, Schumacher finished with a 1:40.115, which was over two seconds down on pace-setter Sebastian Vettel and six-tenths short of his own team-mate Nico Rosberg.

However, the German's day was not without problems as he suffered two tyre issues.

"We had a bit of a difficulty because we lost both sets of tyres for us; one delaminated and one had a puncture," he told ESPNF1.

"So we only had the tyres that we finally ran on from this morning. Obviously that compromised as well our session to work the car so we will have to see what it means."

As for the new track, Schumacher was complimentary although said the blind corners, such as Turn One, did come as a "shock" the first few laps.

"The track is pretty much a challenge, a nice layout and very interesting.

"It's very different sitting in a Formula One car compared to when you walk around or go with scooter, simply for the fact that you are sitting low in an F1 car and the vision is compromised.

"That was a bit of a shock the first lap out, but once you get into the track and you know where the corners are and how they are it's better, but still it remains a challenge."

[MIKA27]

Sauber question Pirelli tyre choice

Sauber believe Pirelli have brought the wrong tyres to Texas as they are "too hard" for the circuit.

The drivers had a fight on their hands on Friday keeping their cars pointed in the right direction as many slipped off the track while others spun.

The reason for this was not only the slippery nature of the new track surface but also cooler than expected temperatures which meant it was not easy getting heat into the medium and hard compounds that Pirelli opted to use this weekend.

"The biggest challenge is to get the tyres to work, as they are definitely too hard for the circuit," said Sauber's head of track engineering Giampaolo Dall'Ara.

This was a sentiment echoed up by Kamui Kobayashi, who fears it could ruin his qualifying.

"I must say I have big warm up problems with both compounds," said the Japanese driver.

"It just doesn't work in qualifying if you need ten laps to get the tyres to work. We will now go and look for solutions."

[MIKA27]

Webber: A pretty good track

Aside from the lack of grip the drivers experienced on Friday, Mark Webber reckons the new CoTA track is both "demanding" and "fun".

The drivers ventured out onto the Circuit of the Americas track on Friday morning where they were slipping, sliding and spinning on the newly-laid asphalt.

Despite having a few moments of his own, Webber finished the day in second place, 0.757s down on his team-mate Sebastian Vettel.

"It's a pretty good track," said the Aussie.

"Obviously it was very slippery to start with. That was quite frustrating probably for all of us, but the track rubbered in pretty well at the end. We got into a pretty good rhythm.

"As usual with all new circuits you've got to work out where you can prioritise your time, and the compromises around the lap. It's got a bit of everything, really.

"It's fun, it's a new challenge for us. It can be demanding and a bit frustrating at times, because we want to learn faster, that's the way it always is with is guys, but in the end I think we executed a pretty clean Friday.

"We know that the tyres are pretty high maintenance, that's something we've got to look into tonight. The rest of it was pretty straightforward, no huge surprises, I suppose the grip level of the track, but that's always improving."

As for whether the latest Herman Tilke design with the offer the overtaking opportunities everyone is hoping for, Webber reckons it could be a bit difficult given how slippery it is off the racing line.

"It's not the easiest track, especially off line it's very slippery. It's a good circuit, let's see what the racing's like."

[MIKA27]

Another record awaits Schumi

Michael Schumacher needs two laps on Sunday at the United States GP to call another record his own, that of most racing kilometres in the sport.

The Mercedes driver Schumacher has driven 80 059 kilometres and is just seven shy of the record 80 067km Brazil's Rubens Barrichello achieved in his career.

Retirement-bound Schumacher will take the record if he completes the first two laps on the 5.516km Circuit of the Americas. If he doesn't, he gets another chance the following week at the season-ender in Brazil.

Schumacher, who raced between 1991 and 2006 and returned in 2010, owns several F1 records inclusing most World titles (seven), race wins (91) and pole positions (68).

[MIKA27]

Hamilton unsure of McLaren's pace

Lewis Hamilton was surprised by Sebastian Vettel's "very quick" pace in Friday's practice for the US Grand Prix.

While many of his rivals struggled on the slippery surface at the new Circuit of the Americas, Vettel managed to put in late times in both sessions to blitz the field.

In FP1, he was 1.418s up on Hamilton while in the afternoon he pulled seven-tenths clear of Mark Webber. Hamilton was fourth, 1.030s adrift.

"I don't know where he got that time from, but that's very quick," the McLaren driver told Autosport.

"I don't know whether or not we have that pace. But we're going to go into tomorrow and make some changes, and we can definitely improve our car.

"We tested something there that wasn't so good. Hopefully we can go back to what we had in P1 and then it will be better tomorrow."

But while the Brit may not have enjoyed the deficit to Vettel, he did enjoy his time out on the new track, which he hailed as a "great drivers' track - it's very tough to pull together three perfect sectors.

"Personally, I find the final two sectors easier than the first; those high-speed changes of direction need a good set-up, and balancing that requirement against the demands of the slow-speed stuff is tricky.

"Turn One probably looks more exciting from the outside than it does from inside the cockpit - it's certainly not easy, though. You can get oversteer, or lock up, and it's tricky to get a perfect line through there."