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F1 News & Discussions => General F1 Discussion => F1 Experiences => Topic started by: Robem64 on October 03, 2017, 08:23:25 AM

Title: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Robem64 on October 03, 2017, 08:23:25 AM
Off to Austin for the USA GP weekend - anyone else on here going? Possibility of a meet up?

I went to this race in 2015 - when it was badly affected by the tail end of Hurricane Patricia. It was still a fantastic weekend but I'm hoping for slightly better weather conditions this year, particularly as I watched it on TV last year and saw nothing but clear blue skies and sunshine!

I've chosen a different stand this time - Turn 12 which is at the end of the long straight and overlooks the stadium section.

Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Ian on October 03, 2017, 05:23:50 PM
Nice one Rob, enjoy.
Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Andy B on October 04, 2017, 02:22:53 AM
Enjoy Rob.
Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Robem64 on October 21, 2017, 09:25:25 AM
Made it to the track for FP2 - sleep to catch up on first from travel.

Weatherwise the session got much hotter as it went on. Have to say that Hamilton looks in dominating and relaxed form. Vettel and Ferrari flapping. LH could very well seal up the WDC this weekend. quali will be interesting for sure.

I love visiting this track as it’s a great spectacle and got real good seats at Turn 12. In fact from there we can see Turns 1,5,12,13,14,15 & 16 so good value I reckon.

A real minus for me yesterday though was the driver autograph sessions and interviews. Last time I came (2 years ago) they gave out wristbands to get autographs. A good idea and controllable. This year, the drivers wandered around a fenced off area in the amphitheater. Not a good idea...the only people who get autographs are those at the front who stay there for all the sessions. Newsflash to organisers....that’s why there was a lot of pushing forward!!!!

Even worse, they’re holding the driver interviews in an amphitheater location with a large stage. So where do they actually perform the interviews?....down in the fenced off area in front of the stage whilst they’re doing autographs. Nobody else can see them other than those on front row. They have a huge screen on stage but didn’t even broadcast them on there. What a stupid idea.

What numpty thought that one out!

Anyway, off to track later for FP3 and quali. Crazy timing though...FP3 at 11am and quali at 4pm. Hell of a gap. I think it’s to fit better with the after race concert!

Will report when I get back from track.

Rob
Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Andy B on October 21, 2017, 09:46:40 PM
Good report Rob do you have a numbered seat this time?
Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Robem64 on October 22, 2017, 05:18:45 AM
Good report Rob do you have a numbered seat this time?

Yes, numbered seats for us both this time Andy as my wife had made this trip.

Just got back from the track as we stayed for the concert.

You’ll all have seen the quali by now.....the gusting wind did make it tricky and boy was it hot too. Vettel pulled the rabbit out of the hat with his last lap and set it up nicely for the race.
Hartley put in a very creditable performance. A very likeable chap too having watched him on the driver interviews.

Max will be storming through the backmarkers so be interesting to see how far up he gets. I
 also fancy Daniel for another podium tomorrow.

Lastly, Sainz did a sterling job for his first Renault quali - clearly demonstrating why Palmer is no longer there.

Should be a good race - enjoy y’all!
Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Scott on October 22, 2017, 02:10:57 PM
Very jealous...although I hope it will end up back at Indy in a couple of years and I can go then.
Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Andy B on October 23, 2017, 12:54:08 AM
Good reports Rob, Thanks.

A good race and dominating performance from Lewis.
The Ferrari's had no answer to Lewis but Bottas did not have the same pace for some reason.
Riccardo should have had a podium and gains an engine penalty in Mexico.
I would have liked to see Hartley starting in a better position to be able to compare his performance to Kvyat who seems to have had a good race but is it too little too late?
I'm frustrated with the track penalty for Max!
I agree that track limits should be enforced which is not happening.
All through the race track limits were being exceeded without penalty then a grandstand finish by Max gets penalised.
The stewards are need to decide if they are going to enforce track limits or not and be consistent in doing so.
Rant over.
Title: Re: I'll be in Austin - anyone on here going?
Post by: Robem64 on October 23, 2017, 02:15:09 AM

I'm frustrated with the track penalty for Max!
I agree that track limits should be enforced which is not happening.
All through the race track limits were being exceeded without penalty then a grandstand finish by Max gets penalised.
The stewards are need to decide if they are going to enforce track limits or not and be consistent in doing so.
Rant over.

Not long back from the track and what a race. Lots of action at turn 12 and the stadium section so really pleased with our view.
As Red Bull fans a bit of a rollercoaster. Daniel was looking good until his engine failure and we were gutted. Max made up for it a little with a barnstorming drive. So happy when we thought he'd made the podium only to be robbed and I couldn't agree more with you Andy. Consistency is vital. Max entertained the fans and whilst that shouldn't be at the expense of the rules, the lack of consistency penalised him horribly for an awesome last lap move. The powers that be should not lose sight of the fact that they are in the entertainment industry!

Highlights for us
- the Michael Buffet driver intros. Loved it
- Vettels first corner overtake
- Max's storming drive and last lap overtake (even thought he got penalised)
- Carlos Sainz debut Renault performance

Lowlights
- race stewards for lack of consistency.(How awkward was that in the driver room post-race!)
- Alonso having to retire.

Fabulous track here in Austin and we will definitely return.
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