The US Grand Prix will take place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Saturday, 24 October. The race begins at 2 pm local time.
This is the first in a triple-header of races in the Americas. It will be followed by the Mexican Grand Prix next weekend before the F1 circus heads south to Rio.
What happens over the next few weeks will go a long way to determine who wins both championships – Drivers and Constructors.
Max Verstappen leads the drivers’ standings after the events in Istanbul two weeks ago. There he took second place behind Valtteri Bottas, while his rival Lewis Hamilton had to be content with fifth, having taken a grid penalty after changing his engine before the race.
Had it not been for that, the Englishman might have won the race, having qualified fastest.
That result means that Verstappen holds a six-point lead going into this race. He will want to consolidate that with a win.
A lot of mind games have been going on since the last race, with Red Bull raising questions about the late-season performance advantage that Mercedes seem to have discovered.
If that is real then it may give Hamilton the edge, especially as he likes this circuit, having won here five times .
His teammate Bottas, who won the race in 2019, the last time it was held, may have a role to play as well. Bottas won the race in Sochi, but with his contract with Mercedes not being renewed, that may be the last victory of his career. He will be driving for the less competitive Alfa Romeo team next season.
He will be expected to either try and hold up Verstappen or, if the situation arises, allow Hamilton to pass him on track.
While Mercedes and Red Bull are likely to dominate the podium places, Ferrari will look to continue their late-season form. And McLaren, having won in Imola and having thrown away a win in Sochi, will look for another solid haul of points.
Prediction
Much will depend on qualification, on whether the pace Mercedes seem to have found is real or whether the cars remain evenly matched. If Hamilton can start the race ahead of Verstappen, it will be difficult for the Red Bull driver to stop him.