Max Verstappen remains in the driving seat but he has not won a Grand Prix since June—a run of eight events. Lando Norris has trimmed Verstappen's points advantage from 84 at its peak to 52. The sudden end to Verstappen’s winning streak, and the possibility of a title battle, has aided ticket sales at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Four full weeks have passed since the last Formula One race in Singapore and after a swing in Asia and a summer stint in Europe, the paddock is finally headed back to the Americas. For this week in particular,