2019 F1 United States GP: preview, predictions, practice, qualifying, race start time, TV guide betting odds

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton finished third at the 2018 F1 United States Grand Prix

(Image credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

By The Week Staff

last updated 1 November 2019

2019 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix

What: race No.19 on the F1 2019 calendar
When: 1-3 November
Where: Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, USA
Race start time: 7.10pm on Sunday 3 November
TV channels: live on Sky Sports F1 and highlights on Channel 4

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“With Ferrari generally the fastest team in qualifying and Mercedes quickest on race pace (as has been the case for the last few rounds) it should be set up for another interesting race. There are no super-long straights here, though, and aerodynamic performance is more important through the plenty of low and medium-speed corners here. Ferrari put up a good show in Japan which also shares these characteristics but this unless they convert their raw pace into pace on Sunday it might be difficult for them to convert. Of course, they could pick a better strategy than they did in Mexico, too. That has been their problem since the summer break. I think, though, Mercedes will just be too strong on Sunday for Ferrari. Podium prediction: 1st Hamilton 2nd Vettel 3rd Bottas.”

“Hamilton has an admirable record in these parts, with five wins from seven race starts in Austin. Of the drivers on the grid, only Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen have tasted success here other than Hamilton. The five-time champion will be on a high following his race win in Mexico last time out and it feels inevitable Hamilton will at least be on the podium to celebrate a sixth world title. Ferrari have been quick in qualifying recently, but their race pace has fallen short of Mercedes. The Scuderia may be forced to watch on again as Mercedes dominate proceedings in Texas.”

“Charles Leclerc was again done no favours by his Ferrari team in Mexico but is fancied to gain quick compensation in our United States Grand Prix predictions. The Italian outfit looked in great shape last weekend after locking up the front row of the grid and starting strongly on race day. However, they were outmanoeuvred by Mercedes when it came to tyre management, allowing Lewis Hamilton to secure a 10th success of the year. Even so, Leclerc still stands out as the quickest driver in action right now.”

“Put quite simply, Hamilton has mastered this track over the years, but given the situation he finds himself in I am wary of backing him to be victorious. The five-time world champion knows that he can simply cruise round the circuit for 52 laps and be crowned the king of F1 once again, so why take any unnecessary risks that could delay his coronation? Therefore I find myself leaning towards Charles Leclerc winning for the first time since his Italian Grand Prix success back in early September.”