F1 United States GP 2021: full race start time

Austin GP

United States GP F1 2021 race time

COTA GP F1 2021: Timetable and race schedule.

United States GP, Pirelli’s choice

We are officially in United States GP week, Formula 1 official tyre suppliers Pirelli reveals their tyre compound choices for round 17 of 2021 season.

Following a year out due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Austin returns to the Formula 1 calendar this year with a slightly new look. During 2020 the track underwent a partial resurfacing, involving around 40% of its total length.

Although the roughness of the new asphalt has not been measured yet, Pirelli has confirmed the same nomination as two years ago in Austin based on the available data, with the three compounds in the middle of the range: C2 as the P Zero White hard, C3 as the P Zero Yellow medium, and C4 as the P Zero Red soft.

These tyres are well-matched to the wide range of demands imposed by the famous Austin circuit, which first joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2012. The track contains a bit of everything, with the layout having been inspired by different corners from some of the most famous tracks in the world.

The weather in Texas at this time of year can be unpredictable. The selection of compounds chosen is consequently quite adaptable to a wide variety of temperatures, although this year’s race is being held earlier in the season than last time.

READ: TYRES – WHAT IS BLISTERING AND GRAINING

Pirelli tyres

COTA addressing bumps for F1 race in wake of MotoGP problems

Bumps have long been an issue at COTA due to the instability of the land on which the circuit is built, a situation made worse by the heavy rain and flooding that impacted the 2015 F1 weekend.

The undulations were a cause for concern during the last F1 event there in 2019, when some surface grinding was undertaken after practice on Friday evening, and again after qualifying on Saturday.

However, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel suffered a suspension failure in the race that his team later put down to the bumpy track. Subsequently some areas were resurfaced during the winter of 2019-’20.

COTA boss Bobby Epstein told Motorsport.com prior to the work:

“We’re actually closing the track for most of December and half of January to fix the problems. We did some of the repairs last year before MotoGP, so I wouldn’t say we’d have to do the whole thing. Certainly it will involve the entire back straight, the pit out and part of Turn 1, there’s a part of a hump before Turn 9, Turns 18-19. So it’s pretty extensive. I know what the bill is!”

Despite that effort, bumps remained an issue at the recent MotoGP event, where riders complained throughout the weekend, and issued an ultimatum that they wouldn’t return to the venue next year if much-needed safety works were not carried out.

MotoGP championship leader Fabio Quartararo called the surface “a joke”, while riders confirmed that the circuit will be resurfaced from Turn 2 to Turn 11 – which was the minimum requirement they felt they needed to race at COTA again in 2022.

Ricciardo to demo Earnhardt NASCAR Cup car at US GP after Brown bet

After joining McLaren at the start of the season, Ricciardo accepted a wager with Brown over him scoring his first podium for the team.

With memories still fresh of Ricciardo’s famous tattoo bet with his former Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, Brown was eager to avoid any physical discomfort from needles so opted for a racing incentive instead.

With Ricciardo being a big fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr, and racing with the NASCAR legend’s number 3, Brown felt a prize living up to those themes would be best.

The Earnhardt NASCAR forms part of Brown’s private car collection, which includes a number of F1 challengers and sportscars.

Despite a difficult first half to the season, Ricciardo delivered that first McLaren podium when he led home a 1-2 for the team at the Italian Grand Prix.

It was unclear when the best opportunity for the NASCAR test would crop up, but speaking to an Australian podcast last weekend, Ricciardo said there was a chance of the test taking place at Austin.

Race start time for F1 United States GP (CEST).

Friday 22th October:

  • Free Practise 1       18:30-19:30
  • Free Practise 2    22:00-23:00

Saturday 23th October:

  • Free Practise 3        20:00-21:00
  • Qualifying       23:00-00:00

Sunday 24th October:

  • Race                        21:00-23:00