"Cato Batista" 18/11/2013 2:47:20 ID #529

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The track changed drastically between P3 and QF as temperatures dropped. Some teams were more affected than others but as expected Red Bull found the best set up to grab yet another front row (I’d lost count how many they’d got this season already). The Lotus of GRO was the best of the rest albeit 3 quarters of second behind the RB9s. Mercedes struggled and only one of their drivers made the shoot-out (HAM) same for Ferrari (ALO in, MAS out) and McLaren (PER in, BUT out).  Sauber, with both C32s in the top 10 confirmed their improved form with another impressive run by HUL (4^th). The surprise of the day was BOT in the Williams, he was flying in Q1 & Q3 and made it no trouble into Q3. Stand-in KOV made good use of the second Lotus to start in the 4^th row.

In CFA results we scored a total of eighteen 1-2 marks thanks to the Red Bull boys, but since nobody predicted GRO in 3^rd there were no places gain or lost. We have to basically consider this as a lost opportunity.

The grid for tomorrow:

VET  WEB  GRO  HUL  ALO  PER  KOV  BOT  GUT –

BUT (13^th) was penalized 3 spots (now 16^th) for disobeying a yellow flag. ROS is 14^th, MAS 15^th.

This will be a tyre-conservation race as the ideal strategy is a one stop for the 56 laps. For the front runners the plan is to get 18-20 laps out of the options on the opening stint and then the remaining 36-38 laps on the primes, which looks easily attainable since the harder compound has proven to be very durable on this pavement. Red Bull and Lotus are expected to cope with tyre degradation better than the rest, but the changing track conditions –as we saw today- are seriously affecting Mercedes and Ferrari.  ALO has been complaining of headaches and back pain, all consequence of his off-excursion in Abu Dhabi, but he says he feels fine once inside the car. His 5^th place on the grid was pure inspiration, the F138 has been a handful to drive here in Austin -just ask MAS.

With 2 races to go is time to throw caution to wind, taking risks to make places in the CFA standings. The problem is, I know, that it’s almost suicidal to beat against Newey’s cars leaving us with very little margin to make up points on the competition. But as we know, the most difficult places to forecasts are  3^rd to 6^th, so let’s see what you think it’s going to happen tomorrow.

Let me start: Cato – VET  WEB  GRO  ALO  PER  HUL

Enjoy, the fun is almost over!