The United States Grand Prix is already one for the Formula 1 history books – and the engines haven't even been fired up for practice yet.
The race weekend at Austin's Circuit of the Americas marks the second time the F1 circus has travelled Stateside this season. That has not happened for almost four decades – the year was 1984 when two separate races were last held in such an important market, which until recently the sport has struggled to truly penetrate.
The 2022 edition of the US GP also marks the 10th anniversary of F1 races at COTA. That in itself is impressive, given no other country has hosted races at more different venues (11) than the US.
Another thing set in stone is Max Verstappen's status as drivers' champion for 2022. His success was confirmed in bizarre circumstances last time out in Japan, but there is still more glory on offer for him and his team this weekend, and at the other three races remaining this season.
After all, the constructors' championship is not yet sewn up. But, in truth, it would take an extraordinary set of results for Red Bull to miss out on double titles in 2022, given the 165-point lead they have over Ferrari with four races to go.
As if being the ones to end Mercedes' eight-year winning streak wouldn't be enough, they could also take another record away from their rivals. A first or second-placed finish for either of their drivers at COTA would make it 18 in a row, surpassing the record previously shared by the Silver Arrows and Williams.
And after winning the Miami Grand Prix earlier this year, Verstappen could become the first F1 driver to win two US races in the same year in more than 40 years. Securing pole position would be a huge help as it is especially important at COTA, where no pole-sitter has ever failed to finish on the podium – also, every race at this venue has been won by someone who started on the front row.
History also brings reasons for Red Bull to be reserved about their chances, though. Texas has generally been a happy hunting ground for their rivals, including Ferrari who boast the most wins of any team on US soil, while Carlos Sainz has never finished outside the points in America in his F1 career.
Mercedes also have reason to be optimistic. The Silver Arrows have never suffered a DNF in a race in the US, while Lewis Hamilton has completed 100% of race laps on the other side of the Atlantic since making his F1 debut in 2007. The seven-time world champion's six victories in the US also makes him the most successful F1 driver ever in US-hosted races.
