With the majority of the FBC staffers either being natives or post-birth converts, the United States Grand Prix is always a big deal around these parts. Some even get to hobnob in amongst the F1 elite when the circus comes to town. But for the rest of us, all we can do is make a few best guesses in regards to finishing positions for the race itself and hope that we can move up in the rankings.
With the possibility of a fourth World Driver’s Championship on the cards this weekend, Lewis Hamilton gets five picks for the win in Austin, while three staffers are hoping that Ferrari and Vettel can overcome the various issues which have kept them off of the top step of the podium for the last five races. Tony and Dave, currently tied for fifth position, are both hoping that a victory by the German will move them back closer to ‘next best’ behind runaway championship leader Paul.
That battle for second, however, is now a thirteen point gap between five staffers, whereas at one point it was down to just six. But still, it’s probably the closest midpack fight that we’ve ever had this late in the season. The podium picks are split up, as per usual, amongst the Merc, Ferrari and Red Bull pilots. Ocon continues to win over hearts with half of the staff picking him for a Top Six finish, while Perez seems to have fallen out of favor with just one nod. This weekend is one of those rare occasions when all staffers chose a different First Out victim, with Grosjean, Vettel, Kvyat, Alonso, Hamilton, Sainz, Stroll and newcomer Hartley getting one pick each. With plenty of rain in the forecast, this could easily be one of those races with a surprise winner and a very jumbled finishing order!
Todd
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Bottas
4. Ricciardo
5. Verstappen
6. Raikkonen
FO Grosjean
Grace
1. Hamilton
2. Ricciardo
3. Bottas
4. Verstappen
5. Raikkonen
6. Ocon
FO Vettel
Paul
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Ricciardo
4. Verstappen
5. Bottas
6. Raikkonen
FO Hartley
Tom
1. Hamilton
2. Vettel
3. Raikkonen
4. Bottas
5. Ocon
6. Verstappen
FO Kvyat
Andrew
1. Hamilton
2. Bottas
3. Verstappen
4. Ricciardo
5. Raikkonen
6. Ocon
FO Alonso
Tony
1. Vettel
2. Raikkonen
3. Bottas
4. Verstappen
5. Ricciardo
6. Perez
FO Hamilton
Dave
1. Vettel
2. Hamilton
3. Ricciardo
4. Verstappen
5. Raikkonen
6. Bottas
FO Sainz
Johnpierre
1. Vettel
2. Ricciardo
3. Hamilton
4. Verstappen
5. Ocon
6. Grosjean
FO Stroll
Current Standings
1. Paul 139
2. Todd 118
3. Tom/Andrew 112
5. Tony/Dave 105
7. Grace 89
8. Johnpierre 65
Cheers,
Tony
I’m going with:
1. Hamilton
2. Ricciardo
3. Bottas
4. Verstappen
5. Vettel
6. Perez
….and first out will be Sainz.