With the championship battle tightening and a new face returning to the grid, here are some of the topics likely to be discussed when the paddock reconvenes in Austin for the 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.

Four weeks on from the final race in Singapore, it’s time to get back to work as the final quarter of the 2024 season gets ready to begin. With the championship battle tightening and a new face returning to the grid, here are some of the topics likely to be discussed when the battle begins in Austin for the 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix-

The title battle continues
As the summer break comes to an end, Lando Norris finds himself 78 points behind Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship, with the McLaren driver having scored more points than the leader in each of the next four races. Dominating wins at Zandvoort and Singapore for Norris have been well managed by Verstappen. After a four-week break since the Singapore Grand Prix, the final quarter of the 2024 Formula 1 season gets underway in Austin. With the championship race in full swing and a familiar face back on track, the race for the title is set to be tight. At the end of the summer break, Lando Norris was facing a formidable 78-point gap to Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings. However, Norris has steadily closed that gap, scoring more points than Verstappen in every race since.

His dominating wins at Zandvoort and Singapore were complemented by a second-place finish by Verstappen, limiting the damage. At Monza, Norris picked up eight points despite finishing third, while his points tally in Baku was a paltry three. The upcoming race at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) could be pivotal, especially as it is a Sprint event that awards an extra eight points to the winner. This weekend could see a potential swing of up to 34 points, further strengthening the championship fight as the season draws to a close.

Lawson takes the wheel
Singapore also marks a significant moment for Daniel Ricciardo, potentially his last F1 appearance. He has been replaced by Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson for the remainder of the season. Lawson is keen to secure a full-time seat for 2025 after his impressive performance last year.

This will be Lawson’s first race at COTA, and he will need to adapt to the car quickly after having raced it before. Red Bull team director Christian Horner has stressed that Lawson’s promotion is a strategic move for the future, as the team assesses its options for Sergio Perez, who could face pressure if his performance does not improve.

Upgrades and the driver market
The Austin race marks the start of a busy schedule with six races in eight weeks, including three Sprint events. Despite being late in the season, teams are still keen to introduce upgrades to improve their performance.

As for the driver market, Lawson’s return strengthens his position this season, but there is still uncertainty over who will partner Yuki Tsunoda next year. If Sergio Perez continues to struggle, there could be changes at Red Bull. Sauber also has a seat open for 2025, with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu among the contenders, along with Formula 2 rising talent Gabriel Bortoleto.

A big event in Austin
Since 2012, Austin has hosted the United States Grand Prix, becoming one of the most popular races on the calendar. Attendance is expected to reach half a million this year, with performances by Sting and Eminem adding to the excitement, along with a big college football game on Saturday. The Sprint format will ensure action for fans all week long, and with the championship race and midfield battle heating up, the stage is set for an exciting weekend of racing.