The Circuit of the Americas, home to this weekend's 17TH round of the 2017 Formula One Championship season, is one of the few anti-clockwise circuits and is a real test for the car: with its mix of low, medium and high-speed corners, finding the perfect set-up is a challenge.
There is a significant gradient in several parts of the circuit and especially in the steep uphill run-up to the braking zone in turn one.
The first sector winds through multiple changes of direction at high speed, in a way that is reminiscent of Suzuka's first sector: it's a part of the track the drivers love and it will be particularly interesting to see this year's cars on it.
With each passing year, the track has become more of a challenge when it comes to ride, and Force India's Sergio Perez can't wait to race on it, especially with so many Mexican fans there to cheer him onโฆ
ย โThe race in Austin is one of my favourite weekends of the year. There are so many Mexican fans in the grandstands and the support I feel is just amazing. My family and friends always come to spend time with me at the circuit, which is an added bonus,โ he said.
โIt's an interesting circuit with some very exciting corners. I think the esses in sector one will feel amazing with this year's cars. I also enjoy turn one: it's very hard to get your braking just right and you can easily miss the blind apex. You can't really see where you are going until you are at the top of the hill and it's easy to turn in late and run wide.โ
โI'm feeling happy with how things have gone during the last few races. I'm proud of the job we have done and the results we have achieved. It's great that we are still bringing new parts to the car and making progress. The car is working well and Austin should be another chance to score good points.โ
