As Formula 1 heads to Texas for the US Grand Prix, LWOS delivers their F1 predictions – race winner, podium & surprise result.
The circus arrives in Austin with just four races left in the 2022 season. COTA always delivers a large-than-life spectacle over the course of the weekend and typically produces fireworks on track. Will Red Bull clinch the Constructors’ Championship or will Cost Cap penalties dominate the headlines? Can Mercedes or Ferrari find the pace to take the top step? How might Charles Leclerc’s new engine test impact his performance? Let’s see what the LWOS has to say in the latest F1 predictions roundtable.
Race Winner
- Arturo – Charles Leclerc
- Evan – Lewis Hamilton
- Fatima – Carlos Sainz
- Gabe – Charles Leclerc
- Jack – Carlos Sainz
- Justin – Charles Leclerc
- Nathan – Max Verstappen
- Thomas – George Russell
- Yara – Charles Leclerc
The overall consensus of the group is feeling a win for Charles Leclerc with four picks. Now it should be noted that predictions were due in prior to Ferrari’s announcement that Leclerc would be starting at the back of the grid to test a new engine for 2023. Carlos Sainz follows with two. Hamilton, Russell, and Verstappen all have one pick each. Could Ferrari stop Verstappen’s continual march to breaking F1 records? The last Ferrari to win at texas was the “Iceman” Kimi Raikkonen back in 2018.
Hamilton continues to be on the list as a pick to win a race, but it has been difficult for Mercedes to deliver a car that matches Red Bull yet. Hamilton has won in Texas five times, so maybe this could be his best and possibly final shot of winning a race this year. Sainz can get himself into the mix for the win if he can manage to secure a great starting spot during qualifying. Russell on the other hand will need to have the drive of his life to get himself past the quicker cars, and his teammate too.
Things are looking tight with four rounds to go… 🥈#F1 pic.twitter.com/UAqx0Wv72i
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 19, 2022
The Podium
- Arturo – Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton
- Evan – Max Verstappen & George Russell
- Fatima – Lewis Hamilton & Sergio Perez
- Gabe – George Russell & Carlos Sainz
- Jack – Max Verstappen & George Russell
- Justin – Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton
- Nathan – Carlos Sainz & George Russell
- Thomas – Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton
- Yara – Carlos Sainz & Lewis Hamilton
Just like with the race winner, the podium continues to be dominated by the top three teams. Unless we see several DNFs or major errors by the top drivers, it’s unlikely a McLaren or Alpine sneak onto the podium. After finishing 14th and 8th in the last two races, five people have George Russell to bounce back with either a spot on the podium or even winning the race.
Surprise Result
- Arturo – Alpine will have a double DNF.
- Evan – Both Haas Points finish in their home race.
- Fatima – Charles Leclerc DNF after crashing out.
- Gabe – Max Verstappen DNF while in the lead.
- Jack – Haas has a car finish in the points.
- Justin – Mick Schumacher finishes P8.
- Nathan – Haas lands their first points finish after seven scoreless rounds.
- Thomas -Mercedes AMG Petronas will take back their yard along with Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso rounding out the top 5.
- Yara – Latifi finishes in the points (again).
Haas having a strong run at COTA seems to be a trending favorite amongst the staff. You have to imagine that even getting one car in the top ten would be a tremendous result for the team, and well-timed after their new sponsorship announcement this week. Mick Schumacher will be hoping that Haas is him as he looks to secure his seat for next season. The other standout has to be Yara’s prediction that Nicholas Latifi ends up in the points for the second straight race. Which would be an amazing feat as it looks like his time in F1 comes to an end.
Now that the LWOS staff have weighed in with their F1 predictions let us know your thoughts. Sign up for the LWOS comment system below and tell us your race winner, podium, and surprise result.
