Austin Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all?

There's a reason the Circuit of the Americas has more fast corners than Spa and more slow corners than the Hungaroring.

Austin's track was designed with several iconic corners from European circuits in mind. But its balanced layout which offers plenty of thrills requires quite high downforce and also has a significant DRS effect.

COTA's speed trap is located at the end of the long straight between Turns 11 and 12, which is also a DRS section. But velocity on the run up the hill on the main straight is also important as the entry to Turn 1 is a main overtaking spot.

• Sainz finally back on pole on merit: 'It was a lot of fun!'

Max Verstappen came up short against Ferrari's chargers in qualifying on Saturday. But the Red Bull's top speed of 326.7 as detected in Q3 will certainly prove useful for the Dutchman in Sunday's race.

Poleman Carlos Sainz is only a few kph down on Verstappen in terms of maximum velocity, indicating that Ferrari's F1-75 is a force to be reckoned with around COTA's fast sweeps, where its downforce - mainly produced by its floor according to downforce/drag ratios - comes into play.

But once again, tyre degradation and therefore strategy will have their say in the race,  and Red Bull has held an edge all year over the Scuderia's contenders in that department.

So, can Sainz hold his own and fend off the bulls to ring in his second career win in F1? Or will Max make minced meat of his rival at the outset and cruise to his 13th win this season?

Such a feat would put the 2022 F1 world champion on a par with Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel as a holder of the greatest number of wins in a season.

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