United States - F1 Prediction League (Round 18)

The US GP last year produced a thrilling battle for the lead, one which we haven't seen for a while now - not since Germany or Hungary. Let's hope for a great race and a repeat of that situation!

The drivers championship is really close going into the final two rounds of the season, only three points difference which is nothing. I'm expecting a few more twists and turns to this one.

To keep their championship hopes alive Lotus need to outscore Sauber by 16 points otherwise a constructor will be crowned champions for the first time, in America.

To refresh your memories, here's a quick round-up of the standings so far:

For a full guide to the 2013 season including stats and other F1 prediction league articles, please go to: F1 Prediction League 2013

Also see the Driver speculation 2014 page for constructors offers etc. There are currently offers for Jasper94, Michael and Keba. Please don't be afraid to request a team if you're interested or to make specific demands if you feel you're worth it!

Update on Red Bull #2 contract situation:

The situation is fairly simple, Michael has to outscore Keba by at least 17 points (unless MetalGatherer wins the weekend). Otherwise Keba secures the Red Bull #2 contract. 

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Random Category for US (The US Casino)

Where will each constructors team finish in the race relative to their current constructors championship position?

For all eleven teams, you'll need to pick whether they'll finish higher, lower or the same compared to their current constructors position.

Finishing position for a constructor in the race is based on points scored and then on highest position finished therefore if a team which had 0 points finished 11th they would be the best of all the non-point scorers etc.

If you pick higher: you'll score 2 points for higher, 1 point for same and 0 points for lower.

If you pick the same, you'll score 1 point for higher, 2 points for the same and 1 point for lower

If you pick lower, you'll score 0 points for higher, 1 point for same and 2 points for lower.

The above is to compensate for the fact that finishing in the same position is a range of 1 whereas higher or lower are far broader.

At the end of the category total scores will be added and compared against other players, tie-breaks are decided by the player who scores the most 2 point hauls, then 1 point, then 0 points. If no decision can be made, it will revert to who picked first.

The scoring system works as follows:

Best picker: 3 points
2nd and 3rd: 2 points
4th, 5th and 6th: 1 point

Note 1: if there is an overall tie on weekend points and the usual method of race > constructors > qualifying > random cannot settle the difference, constructors points will be decided on actual random scores.

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Reminder: No Vettel race picks and no Red Bull constructors picks.

Post your picks in the following format -

Qualifying: 
Race:
Constructors:
Random:-

Red Bull 1st - Higher/Lower/Same

Mercedes 2nd -

Ferrari 3rd -

Lotus 4th -

McLaren 5th -

Force India 6th -

Sauber 7th -

Toro Rosso 8th -

Williams 9th -

Marussia 10th -

Caterham 11th -

The deadline for US picks is Friday 15th November 15:00 GMT (before FP1). 

Good luck and may the best picker win! If anyone's worried about block picking, please email me with your picks here. Then I can post your picks during FP1 when possible. Same rules apply as usual, after you've made your picks you'll have a very small window to correct (1 hour) and then they're set in stone.

I'll always attempt to pick fairly early, given my position in the championship always good to avoid any suspicions!