The F1-75 should be well-suited to the early Esses section at COTA, but with several long straights, the Red Bull could well asert itself over a full lap.
Whatever happens, it will all be framed by the continuing row over F1’s cost cap situation.
Red Bull, according to the FIA, made a “minor” breach over the $145m (£129m) budget allowance, but now other teams, including Mercedes and particularly McLaren, believe this should be firmly punished.
Storms of the meteorological variety have also occasionally come into play at Austin, but this weekend’s race is set be dry and sunny through all three days.
How many laps is the US GP?
The US GP lasts 56 laps and is 308km (190 miles) long on a circuit which is 5.5km (3.4miles) in length.
The current lap record is held by Charles Leclerc, who set a 1min 36.169sec in his Ferrari SF90 in 2019, though the cars will be 2.5sec to 4sec slower this year due to the new technical regulations.
The track has two DRS detection zones, one down the long back-straight and the other on the start/finish straight.
2022 US GP session times
(All times BST)
| Friday 7 October | Saturday 08 October | Sunday 09 October | |
| F1 | Free Practice 1 – 8pm Free Practice 2 – 11pm |
Free Practice 3 – 8pm Qualifying – 11pm |
Grand Prix – 8pm |