Bitchin' Rides. Season 5 Ep3. Tuesday @ 9pm - 10pm (VelocityHD) new
Garage Squad. Season 5 Ep9. Wednesday @ 9pm - 10pm (VelocityHD) new
Wheeler Dealers. Wednesday @ 10pm - 11pm (VelocityHD) new
Since I didn't get around to a recap last week, we'll quickly revisit the last two races, both at Sochi and Sazuka. Sochi will be quick; Merc was fast again, Bottas taking pole for a second year in a row, but Verstappen was flying in the race which sped up Merc's decision to swap places between Bottas and Hamilton -- a decision that neither of them was comfortable with, but made the most big picture sense in terms of the Driver's Championship. Bottas switched to second for the last third and ended up becoming a buffer for Verstappen whose car made it to the flag, unlike his teammates, while still suffering a strange driveability problem which effectively didn't ruin his race. Switching to Sazuka and the season outlook, what more can you say besides Ferrari is just about out of both the Driver's and Constructors Championships. The season could be decided for the Drivers Championship this weekend in Austin, TX, where Hams is quite strong. Vettel has made some questionable moves in retrospect, in some recent races that may have cost him pretty big this year. Hams meanwhile hasn't set a foot wrong and they've made up whatever advantage Ferrari has had earlier in the season, with interest. Ferrari's upgrades don't seem to be working for top overall race pace and when it comes down to in-race execution, it hasn't been great at times. Verstappen is on a roll of podiums, very strong and fast as of late, Ricciardo finally had a good result in Japan, taking 4th behind his teammate and the Ferrari's finished 5th and 6th. Bottas took second for yet another race; I'm sure he's looking forward for the last few races of the season after the Championship is decided to see if he can get a victory under his belt. Ricciardo is looking to make a mark before he departs Red Bull and I'm sure has had words with his new employer concerning Renault power-unit woes. Ocon had a points finish which he'll continue working to replicate in hopes of not taking a full season off sans drive. Heading into the USGP, the Driver's Championship standings are as follows: Hamilton, Vettel (-78), Bottas (-124), Raikkonen (-135), Verstappen (-158), Ricciardo (-181). This should be another great race at COTA, a technical and flowing track that allows plenty of overtaking and rewards big power.
