Who’s ready for a rodeo? Shine up your buckle and polish off your boots, Formula 1 is hitting Texas this weekend, and you’re in for a wild ride…
The phrase “ready and rarin’ to go” is widely associated with Texas, and it nicely sums up the mood at the McLaren Technology Center as we prepare to travel across the pond. We’ve already packed our trusty tongs, skewers and forks to ensure we’re equipped for some barbequing, but what else should we be ready for?
We’ve enlisted the help of Lando Norris, Daniel Ricciardo and Team Principal Andreas Seidl to set us straight on what to expect in the States, and we’re here to provide you with the key stats, the lowdown on what to watch out for , and a guide on what’s hot in the fashion world. Not to mention a competition or two.
Key info
| Round | 19 |
| Where | Circuit of the Americas |
| When | 21 – 23 October |
| Follow | TEAMStream and the McLaren App for LIVE commentary and team radio |
What they say
“I’m buzzing to be back in Austin, it’s such a great city to race in and the fans are always brilliant so it should be an exciting weekend. The track is a fun one, with some cool features similar to tracks such as Suzuka so I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing how the new regulation cars run. I’ve had a points finish both times I’ve raced there so hopefully we can keep up the streak and get some valuable points for the Constructors’ Championship.”
“Austin let’s go! The US GP is one of my absolute favorite races of the year. The extra energy I get from the atmosphere is immeasurable and I love everything about it. From the crowd to the food and music, it’s like nothing else. I can’t wait to get on track.
“I’m looking forward to the last four races of the season and trying everything to maximize the results to keep us in the fight for fourth in the championship.”
“The United States Grand Prix is a favorite for many of the team, so we’re all looking forward to the weekend at COTA. The fans are brilliant and really add to the exciting atmosphere in Austin. The track itself has some interesting features such as elevation changes and wide turns with multiple overtake lines, so it will be important to balance the set up between some of the slower corners and the speed needed for the straights.
“We also look forward to giving Alex Palou an outing in the MCL36. It will be helpful for the team to get his feedback and support with setting up the car before Daniel is back in for FP2. With just four races to go, we need to keep our heads down and push as hard as we can to get fourth back in the Constructors’ Championship.”
What the stats say
We told you we love the US, and the stats back that up.
Before forming McLaren, Bruce clinched his first Formula 1 victory at the US Grand Prix in 1959 for Cooper. As a team, McLaren have taken victory eight times in total, making us the joint-second most successful team at the US Grand Prix, tied with Lotus.
James Hunt clinched our first win in the event on his way to the F1 title in 1976 before repeating the feat a year later. Ayrton Senna sparked a run of three US victories in a row for the team in 1989, with Alain Prost crossing the line first in ’90 before Senna returned to the top step in ’91.
James Hunt won McLaren’s first US Grand Prix in 1976
We had to wait another 10 years for our sixth victory, taken in style by Mika Häkkinen at the 1991 US Grand Prix in Phoenix, Arizona. Lewis Hamilton scored both of our most recent victories, winning twice (2008, 2012) in McLaren colours.
Daniel’s fondness for America is no secret, and the Aussie has competed in every F1 race that’s been held at the Circuit of Americas, twice finishing on the podium. He scored fifth at the track last time and will return to the States hoping for a similarly positive performance.
Lando has two previous US Grand Prix starts to his name, as well as an FP1 appearance in 2018. He finished in the points in both races and will be keen to extend his current run of top 10 finishes to five.
session times
| Free practice 1 | 14:00 local / 20:00 BST / 19:00 UTC |
| Free practice 2 | 17:00 local / 23:00 BST / 22:00 UTC |
| Free practice 3 | 14:00 local / 20:00 BST / 19:00 UTC |
| qualifying | 17:00 local / 23:00 BST / 22:00 UTC |
| Race | 14:00 local / 20:00 BST / 19:00 UTC |
What to watch out for
The motto “keep Austin weird” was unofficially adopted more than 20 years ago, and you’d do well to find a better description for a city that’s far from ordinary. Austin’s party-like atmosphere is fueled by a passion for barbecuing and live music, making it a firm fan favorite.
It’s not only away from the track where Texas thrives as an F1 venue. Opened in 2012, the circuit is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, but despite being amongst the newer venues on the calendar, it has several iconic features.
Turn 1 is the track’s highest point and provides drivers with some great views, overlooking most of the track and also downtown Austin. It’s also one of the circuit’s best overtaking spot, providing drivers with a unique choice of which line to take.
Daniel finished fifth at the 2021 US Grand Prix
Meanwhile, when looking at the circuit overhead, you may feel a sense of deja vu, with turns 3 to 6 modeled on Silverstone’s beloved Maggots/Becketts combination.
You’ll also want to watch out for an appearance from Alex Palou, who will be driving Daniel’s car during FP1 at the US Grand Prix. The Spanish racer recently tested the MCL35M with our driver development program and will fulfill one of the team’s two young driver outings, as mandated in the 2022 Sporting Regulations.
McLaren Creators
Every week, our social channels and the MTC post room are chock-a-block with amazing art pieces that our fans have created and sent to us. Going through them always warms our hearts, and so we wanted to share the love.
Whether you’re a skilled sketcher, a budding paper mache artist, or prefer to paint by numbers, our new McLaren Creators segment will highlight our favorite pieces from our inspired fanbase.
This week we’re spotlighting American artist Dayna.
“I’m a bit of a new fan to racing but I’ve been diving in headfirst, and I absolutely love it. Having worked with alcohol makers for a few years, it has been really cool to let loose when creating McLaren fan art . That iconic papaya orange is so fun to work with! I’ve drawn Daniel and Lando a few times, but after attending my first INDYCAR race and meeting the Arrow McLaren SP drivers, I really wanted to include Felix and Pato in something.”
What to wear
As the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather in Texas, give it an hour and it’ll change. The conditions can swing from one extreme to the other in Austin, so you’ll want to be prepared for any eventuality. Thankfully, our latest US-themed drop will do just that.
The Mitchell & Ness American Football-style jerseys are the obvious place to start. Available in papaya or blue, these are the ultimate sporting crossover and a timely solution to those of you who couldn’t decide between your favorite NFL jersey and your lucky McLaren tee.
The jerseys are great for when its warm, but what about when it turns cold? Well, then you’ll want another layer won’t you? Luckily, we’ve dropped some American-themed hoodies and sweatshirts. And don’t forget to complete the look with one of our matching caps.
Plus one
You’ll have to be quick for this one, but if you’re fast enough, you might be able to nab yourself a 1:2 scale helmet signed by Lando and Daniel. When we say quick, we mean it. The doors slam shut on this one at 09:00 BST, Tuesday, 18 October.
Don’t worry, we’ve got more on the way. Now, we can’t reveal much, but let’s just say Lando and Daniel’s suitcases haven’t always been as heavy on return flights this year…
We managed to sneak away some race-worn weekend essentials that we’re hoping they won’t miss. Keep your eye on our channels as we’ll be giving them away as an extra-special prize ahead of this weekend’s US Grand Prix.
“It’s been great, great fun”
Palou made his second appearance in a McLaren F1 car at a test in Austria last week
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Palou & O’Ward set for FP runs
The pair are set to take the wheel of the MCL36 in Austin and Abu Dhabi
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Rookie’s guide to F1
Get up to speed with the fastest sport on Earth
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“It makes you more adaptable”
Pato climbed back behind the wheel of the MCL35M in Austria last week
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