As Formula 1 heads to Texas for the primary of three back-to-back races, Sky Sports analyse what continues to be to play for within the 2023 world championship.
The race for second
Max Verstappen has sealed a 3rd successive drivers’ title, however there’s a shut battle for second behind him.
Having at one stage appeared sure to finish a Red Bull one-two, Sergio Perez’s benefit over Lewis Hamilton is simply 30 points going into the ultimate 5 rounds of the season, two of that are Sprint weekends with additional scoring alternatives on the desk.
Hamilton blew a significant probability to slender that hole by inflicting a collision together with his Mercedes team-mate George Russell on the primary lap of the Qatar Grand Prix, and likewise noticed his benefit over Fernando Alonso fall to 11 points.
Aston Martin’s drop-off over the second half of the season suggests the Spaniard is unlikely to have the ability to problem Hamilton, however the Brit will little doubt be desperate to chase down Perez.
Crucial prize cash up for grabs
While Red Bull closed out the constructors’ championship even sooner than Verstappen did the drivers’, there’s lots to play for with the competitors that dictates the essential allocation of prize cash.
Mercedes are 28 points away from Ferrari within the battle for second, having given up the chance to considerably prolong that hole in Qatar.
Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell collide on the opening lap of the Qatar Grand Prix
Aston Martin’s regular drift down the standings seems set to proceed with McLaren having closed to inside 11 points of the fourth-placed staff.
It appears inevitable that McLaren will cruise previous Aston Martin, however their 79-point deficit to Ferrari suggests third place may very well be out of attain for the Woking squad.
Alpine are all however sure to complete sixth, however something may occur within the contest for the ultimate 4 locations.
Oscar Piastri holds his nerve to say his first Sprint win as Max Verstappen finishes second to safe his third world title
Seventh-placed Williams are solely 18 points away from final positioned AlphaTauri, with Alfa Romeo – off the again of a formidable displaying in Qatar – and Haas between them.
One particular efficiency, or a little bit of luck in a downpour, may change every part.
Can Perez save his seat?
The race for second within the drivers’ standing could be a major consider Red Bull’s choice over whether or not to retain Sergio Perez.
The Mexican has one other 12 months on his contract however his performances over the second half of the season have been unacceptable, and in a extra aggressive season may have price Red Bull the constructors’ title.
Sergio Perez’s struggles continued this weekend, following up a nightmare Sprint crash with three five-second time penalties in the course of the Qatar GP
The noises popping out of the Red Bull camp in Qatar after Perez’s newest disappointing show weren’t vastly optimistic, with staff principal Christian Horner saying a “sit down” together with his driver was required.
Perez can have enormous help on the upcoming races within the Americas, most notable at his dwelling Grand Prix in Mexico, and should use that optimistic vitality to supply the form of kind he confirmed when profitable two of the primary 4 races of the season.
Another factor that would affect Red Bull’s considering on Perez will probably be Daniel Ricciardo’s return from a wrist damage that has appear him miss 5 races following a crash in Zandvoort.
Daniel Ricciardo injured his wrist in observe forward of the Dutch Grand Prix
If the Australian can flip in some robust performances in the course of the the rest of the 12 months, the Red Bull hierarchy could think about him to be a greater choice to accomplice Verstappen in 2024.
Also beneath the highlight will probably be Logan Sargeant, whose Williams seat is the one one on the grid that is not formally confirmed for subsequent season.
Who will gentle up the Las Vegas Strip?
Since the 2023 season formally started in early March, there was one race that drivers and followers alike have been trying ahead to – Formula 1’s return to Las Vegas.
There is loads of thriller round how dropping the most recent era of the world’s greatest racing automobiles onto The Strip will play out, nevertheless it guarantees to be must-see television.
The views will probably be spectacular, however the impression the cool night temperatures can have on tyres may add one other layer of unpredictability to the occasion.
There can also be little doubt that Vegas will present the final word crossing of showbiz and motorsport, with Martin Brundle certainly in for a memorable grid stroll.
While all Grand Prix victories are particular, the winner on Saturday evening in Vegas goes to have a reminiscence to treasure.
Team-mate tensions
Hamilton and Russell introduced a united entrance after their collision, with the pair even sharing a heat embrace that was posted on Mercedes’ social media channels.
However, when their visors come down as soon as extra in Texas, it stays to be seen whether or not there will probably be a change within the combative driving model they’ve employed when racing one another in current weeks.
It would seem all is nicely between George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, after the Mercedes pair embraced every following their collision on the Qatar GP
The return of Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff following knee surgical procedure could have an effect, with the drivers positive to be given a reminder of their tasks earlier than the motion will get beneath approach at COTA.
Also price keeping track of is the creating contest between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with the Australian rookie having crushed his extra skilled team-mate to a primary F1 victory as he received the Qatar Sprint.
Norris was then advised to carry station behind Piastri within the closing phases of the Grand Prix, an order which he did not look like overly happy with judging by radio communications. The Brit could really feel he has some extent to show.
Lando Norris questions the staff’s directions for him to carry his place behind team-mate Oscar Piastri within the Qatar Grand Prix
Finally, having at some phases over the past couple of years appeared destined to stay within the shadow of his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz reignited the battle for supremacy on the Italian staff by profitable in Singapore.
The Spaniard, even after being left unable to start out due to a gas leak in Qatar, holds an eight-point benefit over Leclerc. A powerful end to the season for both driver may sway who’s seen because the staff’s greatest championship hope for the long run.
The Andretti saga
With two of the ultimate 5 races going down within the United States, the dialog round Andretti’s potential entry to F1 is simply more likely to get louder.
It can be a shock if Michael Andretti himself is not current in Texas and Las Vegas to speak up the deserves of his staff becoming a member of the game.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes the addition of the Andretti staff to F1 would improve the game
Following some preventing speak from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem in Qatar after the game’s governing physique accredited Andretti’s entry bid, there may very well be some fascinating interactions to witness.
In gentle of the incumbent F1 groups’ continued opposition to increasing the grid, Andretti must determine whether or not he needs to take them on, or take a extra measured and tactical method.
However it performs out, the controversy guarantees to be a significant talking level till Formula One Management (FOM), together with the groups, supply an official response to the bid.
Watch Formula 1 return to Texas for the United States Grand Prix and one other Sprint weekend reside on Sky Sports F1 from October 20-22. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW
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