As we approach the business end of the F1 season, one of the annual highlights still awaits: the 2024 US Grand Prix at the vibrant Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
Held in the energetic city of Austin, Texas, the US Grand Prix promises an adrenaline-filled weekend with a party atmosphere – and it always delivers. In 2024, the stage is once again set for a pulsating conclusion to the season. Read on as we explore the dates, times and history of this fan favourite race.
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Recap: Who won the 2023 US Grand Prix?
Given his near-total dominance over the season, Max Verstappen surprised nobody when he won the 2023 US Grand Prix – his third consecutive victory at the COTA. The flying Dutchman overcame brake issues and fierce competition from Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris to claim his fifteenth win of the season.
Both Hamilton and Norris led at times during the race, finishing second and third respectively. However, a twist: Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were both disqualified after the race following a technical breach, with their cars showing excessive wear on their skid blocks.
Image: Infiniti
When is the 2024 United States Grand Prix?
The 2024 US Grand Prix schedule is packed, and includes the race, qualification, and a dynamic sprint. Here’s the full breakdown of the weekend’s action:
- Friday, 18 October: Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying
- Saturday, 19 October: Sprint and Qualifying
- Sunday, 20 October: Race
US Grand Prix 2024 start times
What time is the US Grand Prix? It’s an afternoon race, with lights out at 2 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT). This means that you can tune in around the world at the following times:
- United Kingdom (BST): Race starts at 8 pm on Sunday, 20 October
- United States East Coast (EDT): Race starts at 3 pm on Sunday, 20 October
- United States West Coast (PDT): Race starts at 12 pm (noon) on Sunday, 20 October
- Eastern Australia (AEDT): Race starts at 6 am on Monday, 21 October
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Discover the US Grand Prix circuit and history
The US Grand Prix is always a highlight of the F1 calendar, with a hefty dose of American patriotism and a festival-like atmosphere. It’s the most established race in the country, and paved the way for both the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix.
Circuit of the Americas: The US Grand Prix track
Despite being one of the newer tracks in Formula 1, the Circuit of The Americas in Austin is bursting with character and American motoring passion. Having opened in 2012, the US Grand Prix track has great potential for excitement.
It shares similarities with Silverstone, with a high-speed section inspired by the famous Maggotts and Becketts complex. It also features two long straights, including the celebrated hill climb to the wide first corner – the iconic Big Red – designed to encourage overtaking.
Off the track, the circuit is equally as exciting, and very fan-friendly. You’ll find American flag-inspired red, white and blue run-off areas; a striking 77-metre tall observation tower complete with a distinctive red ‘veil’ near turn 16, and an outdoor amphitheatre with a capacity of 14,000 – a hub for entertainment during race weekend.
At a glance, here are the key features of the Circuit of The Americas track:
- Length: 5.513 km (3.426 mi)
- Corners: 20
- Straights: 3
- DRS zones: 2
- Capacity: 150,000
- Lap record: 1:34.356 (Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, 2022)
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US Grand Prix history
The US Grand Prix has a rich history, dating back to 1908 when it was run as the American Grand Prize at Savannah, Georgia. It became a regular part of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1959 and has now been held at 10 different locations, including Watkins Glen in New York and the iconic Indianapolis.
The biggest names in F1 have all taken the chequered flag in the US Grand Prix including Jackie Stewart, Graham Hill, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. Michael Schumacher was also a five-time winner in the early 2000s, including in the bizarre 2005 race at Indianapolis, when 14 cars retired due to tyre safety concerns, leaving just six cars to finish the race.
Since 2012, the F1 US Grand Prix has found a permanent home at the Circuit of The Americas, where Lewis Hamilton has won five of the 11 races held there, and Max Verstappen has won three to date.
Image: circuitoftheamericas.com
Our predictions for the 2024 United States Grand Prix
With Red Bull’s dominance, the 2023 race was a predictable affair, yet the 2024 season has been considerably more open – and, as such, more exciting.
While Verstappen is still top of the table, he no longer has the air of invincibility. Seven different drivers have won races this season, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, Mercedes sit atop the constructor’s championship table, with Red Bull in second.
The sensible prediction may still be another Verstappen victory in 2024, but it’s by no means a done deal. Norris, Leclerc and Piastri are all in the running, while nobody would write off Lewis Hamilton – a five-time winner at the COTA, featuring on the podium twice in the last three years.
Image: Ultimate Driving Tours
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