Another early evening grand prix beckons this weekend, this time in the USA. This is the only race that Alonso hasn’t won (the only race that Michael hasn’t won is Turkey). In fact Alonso has never even finished at Indy. But those sort of things don’t phase the world champion. Certainly not this season. He’s been ticking off all of the circuits he’s never won and in many ways it will be a suprise if he doesn’t have the set by the end of this weekend. So who can stand in his way?

First we have the wild card in the shape of Kimi. That McClaren was looking pretty racey during the last race and Kimi will be determined to prove Ron Dennis wrong after the public telling off that he got after the last race (Ron said he’d over revved the engine during the first pit stop which meant the wheel was turning when the pit man was trying to put the tire on, and that then he over compensated in the second pit and under revved which is why he stalled).

The only problem with all of these ideas is that the Renault just seems faster and stronger. And as they have the same tires there doesn’t seem to be much hope.

Unless you’re on a different tire. After the disaster that was the US Michelan tire last year it wouldn’t be suprising to find that Michelan have brought a more conservative tire choice to this race than they might otherwise have.

So this could be Michael’s big chance. The cars looking good, and with a little heat his tires really could come to him even at the start of the race (an area the bridgestones have really struggled with).

So look for good form from the bridgestone runners, a continuing improvement from BMW, a charge from Kimi and a possible win from Michael. But if you discount Alonso then then you must be crazier than Sato.