In the round-up: Alfa Romeo say Valtteri Bottas was caught out by a gust of wind when he spun into retirement during the United States Grand Prix.
In brief
Wind caught Bottas out
Bottas spun out of the race on lap 17. Alfa Romeo’s head of track engineering Xevi Pujolar confirmed a strong gust of wind caught him out.“The contributing factor was a gust of wind, unexpected from one lap to the next one,” he said. “So then he lost it and stuck in the gravel.
“Normally I’d say we don’t expect that from Valtteri, but the wind was quite gusty today and went like this at this lap unfortunately.”
Latifi accepts penalty
The Williams driver accepted the stewards’ decision. “The penalty I received was justified and I have no issues with it,” he said. “It wasn’t intentional as I tried to brake as late as I could, but I committed to my braking point, locked up and couldn’t get the car to turn.”
Aston Martin disappointed after strong start
Despite Sebastian Vettel prevailing in a thrilling last-lap duel with Kevin Magnussen, Aston Martin were disappointed to only come away with points for eighth place in a race they started strongly.
“Having been third and fifth on lap one, clearly we are disappointed to have come away with only a DNF and a P8,” said team principal Mike Krack. “But that is racing.”
Lance Stroll went out when he caused a collision with Fernando Alonso, while Vettel lost time with a very slow pit stop. “He launched a great recovery drive that resulted in a fine eighth place,” Krack said, “the highlight of which was a tremendous dice with Magnussen on the final lap, which happily went Sebastian’s way.”
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Links
Motor racing links of interest:
Kids in America drive boom in Formula 1's popularity (The Guardian)
'Callaway is typical of many new fans. He came to the sport during lockdown, was enthused by last season’s titanic battle between Hamilton and Max Verstappen and had his passion further fired by the Netflix series Drive to Survive.'
Esterson declared Formula Ford Festival winner after rain deluge (source)
'But with fading light and standing water on the track, officials declared a result, much to the delight of Esterson, who went one place better than his result in last year’s final. It also means the American has now won both showpiece FFord events, having won the 2021 Walter Hayes Trophy.'
Glock parts ways with BMW after 10-year stint (Sportscar365)
'Veteran DTM driver Timo Glock will no longer be part of BMW’s factory driver line-up, having contested his final race for the German manufacturer in this weekend’s Italian GT Championship season finale at Mugello.'
F1 visitors experience privacy, luxury at Million Air (Fox 7 Austin)
'Those coming in for Formula One on private planes don't have to worry about the long lines and record number of people at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.'
Formula Regional Europe round 20: Mugello (Formula Regional Europe via YouTube)
We always endeavour to credit original sources. If you have a tip for a link relating to single-seater motorsport to feature in the next RaceFans round-up please send it in via the contact form.
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Social media
Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:
I beg that F1 doesn't forget what a good thing they have going in this race just because Austin isn't a top 15 media market. #USGP
— RJオコンネル (@rjoconnell) October 23, 2022
Things I didn’t expect to see this morning: a Logan Sargeant mention and F1 feature leading off on the always pleasant CBS Sunday Morning show.
— Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) October 23, 2022
10/10 would recommend getting engaged at COTA. #F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/mfDTWwAwyr
— Undercut Creative (@UndercutCreate) October 23, 2022
Drove ~30 hours to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary at Circuit of the Americas #cota #tracktv #F1 #anniversary #landonorris pic.twitter.com/DKgRWnydJL
— Maniel+Goose (@GooseManiel) October 23, 2022
@COTA @F1 Will not be surprised if a fight breaks out since there's people that crowd the fence and block traffic at turn 1/big red. It's a safety hazard. It's chaos.
— Kazval (@TheKazval) October 23, 2022
Racing opinion: track limits are when you crash. If it’s more complicated than that, your track design is 👎
— Dalton Kellett (@Dalton_Kellett) October 23, 2022
Wow. Another close call there for the boys. Bit of a naughty late jink I think from Stroll there. We'll see what Fernando has to say. #f1
— Damon Hill (@HillF1) October 23, 2022
These late changes of direction on the Straight are going to kill someone… @fia time to sort this behaviour out once and for all. It has bled down to the junior formula too.
— Dario Franchitti (@dariofranchitti) October 23, 2022
I think it is genuinely gross to be lapping up this man's post-abuse-allegations publicity tour.
particularly ugh given there's a huge advocate for speaking out about abuse on F1's presenting team, who I feel for very deeply this weekend. https://t.co/vu7Bdct3Z2
— Hazel Southwell (@HSouthwellFE) October 23, 2022
|@redbullracing's entire press release following its victory in the United States Grand Prix, which sealed its fifth constructors' championship. #F1 #USGP #RaceFans pic.twitter.com/2qUDKGIP9q
— RaceFans (@racefansdotnet) October 24, 2022
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- Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory
Comment of the day
@D0senbrot sees potential but aloes pitfalls in Lewis Hamilton’s film plans:
Considering the people involved the film will certainly deliver in terms of spectacle and production quality.
I just hope they don’t overdo it and manage to write a gripping and entertaining story that doesn’t just rely on stereotypes and cliches. That’s what bothered me about Rush. However, they managed to find a balance with the brilliant portrayal and drama of Niki Lauda , which made the film worth watching.
@D0senbrot
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday to Adam Tate!
On this day in motorsport
- 30 years ago today Nigel Mansell took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka
EffWunFan (@cairnsfella)
24th October 2022, 2:18
Have to admit I do not know a great deal (or anything really) about the referenced ‘allegations’ with regard to BP, but I would ask if they are ‘allegations’ what is the appropriate behaviour?
I am perhaps more qualified to comment on the ongoing way in which celebs and their bodyguards are presented during the grid walk. Why is there the need for these heavies, and why the hell can’t the celebs not just stop for moment for a polite word.
Personally, I’d rather they were not on the grid. If I wanted to see these people I would watch one of their films, or go to a concert. But if they are going to be there, then at least show some respect and gratitude for the privileged position they are in.
Martin (@f1hornet)
24th October 2022, 12:05
I was totally unaware of any abuse allegations until I saw that tweet above. I guess it relates to these allegations from Angelina Jolie https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-children-b2196344.html
As for the bodyguards, I do find it rather annoying. You’re getting free, all access passes to an F1 race that some of us F1 fans would kill for, the least you can do is speak to the media covering F1 for 20 seconds. The only reason you’re there is to provide exposure for the sport, keep up your end of the bargain. Compare that to Emerson Fittipaldi, a two times champion, walking about on his own who is more than happy to have a chat with Martin Brundle, even though he’s not even trying to promote anything, or Ed Sheeran, who was nice and polite, answered a couple of questions, and then walked on. It doesn’t make Brad Pitt look very sympathetic for the general public watching at home.
hyoko
24th October 2022, 2:36
The way you gave up in Brazil 2008 will not be forgotten in the annals of shame and infamy, dear Timo.
GeeMac (@geemac)
24th October 2022, 6:05
Oh dear, I will take this one:
Watch the onboard and see how much he is struggling, even Massa said that when interviewed a few years ago in Brazil by Martin Brundle (with Glock). The interview is on Youtube and is well worth a watch. Also, and most importantly, Glock made up a place by staying on slicks (he was 7th when it started to rain and he finished 6th), so he benefitted in the overall picture of the race.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
24th October 2022, 8:56
@geemac
Massa and Glock are friends and they were teammates in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series doubles race at Interlagos.
Craig
24th October 2022, 8:21
How did he “give up”?
Keith Campbell (@keithedin)
24th October 2022, 9:06
His lap times were very similar to his teammate’s – just nothing you can do when you’re on the wrong tyres and it rains too much. I would have preferred Massa to win that title but I can’t believe these conspiracy theories are still alive today.
Mark Zastrow (@markzastrow)
24th October 2022, 7:28
I maintain that the best racing film ever made is the Wachowskis’ Speed Racer. Apart from the astonishing cinematic craft and phantasmic visuals, it captures a vision of the modern sport and its capitalist nature like no other film. Family-run teams swallowed up by corporations who use race teams to drive up their shares ahead of acquisitions; the rampant development of illegal devices and lawsuits over IP infringement; a hapless sanctioning body, and a broadcast media establishment fronted by former drivers willing (or forced) to look the other way… Plus visual puns about vertically integrated manufacturing and “over-under” maneuvers.
Really, I don’t think any film has ever understood the sport better than Speed Racer.
Jere (@jerejj)
24th October 2022, 11:32
AM threw away an even higher points haul via Seb’s very slow stop.