2. Cars

U.S. Grand Prix 2014

The United States Formula One race for 2014 was again at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, its permanent home until further notice. The weather was perfect, save a little too much wind at times. But cool temperatures and a warm track meant record lap times and speeds. Photos were taken during Saturday's action from turn 9 through turn 11.
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  • Lewis Hamilton qualified second but passed his pole-sitting teammate midway into the race to take the permanent lead.

    Lewis Hamilton qualified second but passed his pole-sitting teammate midway into the race to take the permanent lead.

  • Our view from the hill at turn 11 looking south toward turn 9. Farthest away is the grandstand at turn 1, the high point of the track over a mile away.

    Our view from the hill at turn 11 looking south toward turn 9. Farthest away is the grandstand at turn 1, the high point of the track over a mile away.

  • Kevin Magnussen driving a McLaren as number 2 driver. F1 cars can go 0 to 60 MPH in about 2 seconds, faster than an F-18 takeoff with afterburners.

    Kevin Magnussen driving a McLaren as number 2 driver. F1 cars can go 0 to 60 MPH in about 2 seconds, faster than an F-18 takeoff with afterburners.

  • Riding with Fernando Alonso via the big screen. The announcer's sound system was very clear and strong.

    Riding with Fernando Alonso via the big screen. The announcer's sound system was very clear and strong.

  • Adrian Sutil in the #2 Sauber Team car set a dubious record of 2 U.S. Grand Prix starts and zero laps finished. A wreckless stunt by Sergio Perez wrecked him this year on lap 1, and last year he and Pastor Maldonado tangled which ended his race in the first few seconds.

    Adrian Sutil in the #2 Sauber Team car set a dubious record of 2 U.S. Grand Prix starts and zero laps finished. A wreckless stunt by Sergio Perez wrecked him this year on lap 1, and last year he and Pastor Maldonado tangled which ended his race in the first few seconds.

  • Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari. To cut weight F1 cars use many custom carbon fiber components which helps run total car cost to over $1 million each, not including R & D, etc. Parts are constantly being re-designed and changed out.

    Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari. To cut weight F1 cars use many custom carbon fiber components which helps run total car cost to over $1 million each, not including R & D, etc. Parts are constantly being re-designed and changed out.

  • Daniel Riccardo. These cars pull over 4G's in turns and 5+ in braking, forcing the drivers to be in great shape or they would get too exhausted to function. They must hold their breath in sweeping turns. Races last 2 grueling hours.

    Daniel Riccardo. These cars pull over 4G's in turns and 5+ in braking, forcing the drivers to be in great shape or they would get too exhausted to function. They must hold their breath in sweeping turns. Races last 2 grueling hours.

  • Jean-Eric Vergne head on. You would have to see it to believe it, but these cars can take on 4 new tires and get wing setting adjustments in a 3 second pit stop. The driver must stop the car within an inch or two of a preset spot to get the minimum time, which they regularly do.

    Jean-Eric Vergne head on. You would have to see it to believe it, but these cars can take on 4 new tires and get wing setting adjustments in a 3 second pit stop. The driver must stop the car within an inch or two of a preset spot to get the minimum time, which they regularly do.

  • Danil Kvyat will move from this Red Bull sponsored team, Toro Rosso, to go to the other Red Bull sponsored team, Red Bull. Confused? Just remember the team with the biggest Red Bull logo is not the Red Bull team, and even though Toro Rosso is Italian for Red Bull, this is still not the "Red Bull" team.

    Danil Kvyat will move from this Red Bull sponsored team, Toro Rosso, to go to the other Red Bull sponsored team, Red Bull. Confused? Just remember the team with the biggest Red Bull logo is not the Red Bull team, and even though Toro Rosso is Italian for Red Bull, this is still not the "Red Bull" team.

  • The TV helicopter is chasing the racecars down the 200MPH backstretch as fast as it could go, capturing impressive video in addition to buzzing the observation tower.

    The TV helicopter is chasing the racecars down the 200MPH backstretch as fast as it could go, capturing impressive video in addition to buzzing the observation tower.

  • In addition to a turbocharged V6 gasoline engine, all F1 cars have magnetic braking that generates and stores electricity. This gives drivers as much as 160 additional electric horsepower to be used in quick bursts as needed later. Braking is so violent (160MPH to 40MPH in 1.8 seconds) that it takes strong neck muscles to hold a driver's head up.

    In addition to a turbocharged V6 gasoline engine, all F1 cars have magnetic braking that generates and stores electricity. This gives drivers as much as 160 additional electric horsepower to be used in quick bursts as needed later. Braking is so violent (160MPH to 40MPH in 1.8 seconds) that it takes strong neck muscles to hold a driver's head up.

  • The approach to turn 11 is wide and flat after a speedy downhill run.

    The approach to turn 11 is wide and flat after a speedy downhill run.

  • Jenson Button in a McLaren. Weighing over 1600 lbs. with fuel, Formula One cars are carefully wind tunnel tested to optimize down force. At 175 MPH that force exceeds car weight, meaning in theory the cars could run on the ceiling.

    Jenson Button in a McLaren. Weighing over 1600 lbs. with fuel, Formula One cars are carefully wind tunnel tested to optimize down force. At 175 MPH that force exceeds car weight, meaning in theory the cars could run on the ceiling.

  • Close up of Kevin Magnussen in the McLaren. Team Marussia and Caterham both skipped this race due to financial strain which generated some controversy and plenty of discussion about Formula 1 costs.

    Close up of Kevin Magnussen in the McLaren. Team Marussia and Caterham both skipped this race due to financial strain which generated some controversy and plenty of discussion about Formula 1 costs.

  • Thermal imaging tells how hot the tires were getting-a real team concern on a chilly Saturday morning. This is Nico Rosberg in practice session 3.

    Thermal imaging tells how hot the tires were getting-a real team concern on a chilly Saturday morning. This is Nico Rosberg in practice session 3.

  • On Sunday Hamilton picked up his 10th Grand Prix victory for 2014.

    On Sunday Hamilton picked up his 10th Grand Prix victory for 2014.

  • Last year's winner Sebastian Vettel is chased into turn 11 by this year's winner Lewis Hamilton.

    Last year's winner Sebastian Vettel is chased into turn 11 by this year's winner Lewis Hamilton.

  • Jensen Button drops out of turn 10 at full throttle and is quickly headed for nearly 170 MPH before hard braking at turn 11.

    Jensen Button drops out of turn 10 at full throttle and is quickly headed for nearly 170 MPH before hard braking at turn 11.

  • Nico Rosberg finished second behind teammate Alex Hamilton.

    Nico Rosberg finished second behind teammate Alex Hamilton.

  • Williams driver Valtteri Bottas set the event top speed of 209MPH, an F1 record at Austin.

    Williams driver Valtteri Bottas set the event top speed of 209MPH, an F1 record at Austin.

  • Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari leads newcomer Danil Kvyat (Toro Rosso Team) into turn 11.

    Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari leads newcomer Danil Kvyat (Toro Rosso Team) into turn 11.

  • F1 cars and equipment fly in cargo jets around the world when racing off-continent. Annual team budgets run from 50 million to 250 million U.S. dollars. This is Jean-Eric Vergne in a Toro Rosso car. Each team brings two cars/drivers to the events.

    F1 cars and equipment fly in cargo jets around the world when racing off-continent. Annual team budgets run from 50 million to 250 million U.S. dollars. This is Jean-Eric Vergne in a Toro Rosso car. Each team brings two cars/drivers to the events.

  • Nico Rosberg enters turn 11, a 50MPH hairpin.

    Nico Rosberg enters turn 11, a 50MPH hairpin.

  • Fernando Alonso in turn 9. Heat distorts the image thru the long 400MM telephoto lens.

    Fernando Alonso in turn 9. Heat distorts the image thru the long 400MM telephoto lens.

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    Riding with Fernando Alonso via the big screen. The announcer's sound system was very clear and strong.
    Adrian Sutil in the #2 Sauber Team car set a dubious record of 2 U.S. Grand Prix starts and zero laps finished. A wreckless stunt by Sergio Perez wrecked him this year on lap 1, and last year he and Pastor Maldonado tangled which ended his race in the first few seconds.
    Fernando Alonso in the Ferrari. To cut weight F1 cars use many custom carbon fiber components which helps run total car cost to over $1 million each, not including R & D, etc. Parts are constantly being re-designed and changed out.