USA Grand Prix 2013: Predictions, Preview and Drivers to Watch

The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas will host the penultimate race on the Formula 1 schedule this weekend. There is little in terms of major honors to compete for with Red Bull Racing and Sebastian Vettel having won the respective constructors and world championships.

Nonetheless, the circuit at Austin is one of the most exciting races on the calendar, and there is much to look forward to ahead of what promises to be an enthralling weekend of racing. 

There are still seats up for grabs ahead of the 2014 season, and with the minor places both of the aforementioned title races still unsettled, expect there to be no quarter given by any of the drivers when the lights go out on Sunday.

Will Vettel continue to dominate? Or will complacency creep in now that his work is essentially done? Here are some predictions ahead of this weekend’s race:

Vettel to Win. Webber and Hamilton on the Podium.

It’s difficult to predict any other winner at the moment, isn’t it? 

Eyebrows would have been raised when Vettel was down in eighteenth position after the first practice session. But he gave a true indicator of his weekend’s pace with a strong showing in the second practice slot, and it looks very much like business as usual for the German. He alleviated any concerns he might not be up for this one after second practice:

The four-time World Champion was joined at the top of the standings in practice by teammate Mark Webber, as Red Bull looks set to dominate once again here. The Australian is the favorite to start alongside Vettel on the front row in his second-to-last ever race in the sport. Whilst he will no doubt be desperate to sign off with a victory in one of his final races, his German counterpart just looks too good at the moment.

Aside from Red Bull, early indications suggest Mercedes is the next best around the Austin circuit. Nico Rosberg has looked the more in-form driver out of the Mercedes duo in recent weeks, but Lewis Hamilton looks the part around this particular track. The Brit won in this race last year and seems to really relish racing in the States. He was content with his first two practice sessions:

Can he challenge the Red Bull drivers? Probably not. But he looks a good bet to return to form with a podium finish.

Heikki Kovalainen’s Big Chance

The Finn steps into the Lotus hot seat to replace his compatriot Kimi Raikkonen, who is recovering from back surgery.

It is a great opportunity for former McLaren man to remind us all what he can do in the final two races of the season. He has a strong car at his disposal and should be looking to get in amongst the points. If he can do so, Lotus still has a slim chance of finishing second in the drivers championship. 

Having last raced for Caterham back in 2012, you would be forgiven for thinking he may be a little race rusty. And this is a concern he alluded to in the pre-race build up (from Sky Sports):

"

Jumping into a car so late in the year when you have not been competing in the races all season will be a challenge, but I know the team at Enstone well so I have no concerns about getting up to speed.

"

And he did exactly that, showcasing his skill immediately by registering the fifth fastest time in a crazy first practice session. Kovalainen will only improve as he re-acclimates to F1 racing, so expect an accomplished showing from him this weekend.