The #AmericasGP returns to the Circuit of the Americas for the 8^th time. This weekend will be the 33^rd occasion that America have hosted a Grand Prix, with Laguna Seca hosting 15 times, Indianapolis hosting 8 times, Austin hosting the last 7 American Grand Prix and Daytona hosting just twice. In the previous 7 Grand Prix held at the Circuit of the Americas, all 21 podium finishers have been either Spanish or Italian, with the exception of Jack Miller.

Only 2 riders on the 2021 MotoGP grid have won more than once at the #AmericasGP; Repsol Honda’s very own ‘King of CotA’, Marc Marquez who holds 6 wins, all in the MotoGP class. It was Suzuki ECSTAR’s Alex Rins who would break Honda’s winning streak, as he took victory in the MotoGP class in 2019, as well as holding two previous victories in the Moto2 and Moto3 classes.

Despite some evident struggles over the 2020 season and the first half of the 2021 season, Honda arrive to the Circuit of the Americas as the most successful manufacturer, not only at this track, but in the history of the American Grand Prix. As well as winning 6 of 7 races held in Austin, Honda have won 15 of the last 16 Grand Prix held in the USA!

Suzuki are the only other manufacturer who have won at the Circuit of the Americas, taking victory in 2019 with Alex Rins. Reigning World Champion Joan Mir currently lies 3^rd in the 2021 World Standings, whilst Alex Rins will look to change his luck this weekend.

Yamaha’s best result at the #AmericasGP is 2^nd, with Valentino Rossi (2017 and 2019), Maverick Viñales (2018), and Jorge Lorenzo (2016). As Fabio Quartararo leads the championship, it appears that the other Yamaha riders have some work to do; Franco Morbidelli on his return from injury was promoted to the Monster Energy Yamaha squad, whilst Valentino Rossi continues alongside Andrea Dovizioso in the Petronas Yamaha SRT squad.

Ducati have stood on the podium at the Circuit of the Americas 4 times; with Andrea Dovizioso scoring 2 podium finishes in 2014 and 2015, Andrea Iannone stood on the podium in 2016 and most recently Jack Miller scored a podium during the 2019 #AmericasGP. As Francesco Bagnaia won his home Grand Prix at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, he became the first Italian to win back to back races since Andrea Dovizioso, and the 7^th rider in Grand Prix history to win their first two Grand Prix within 7 days. Avintia Esponsorama’s Enea Bastianini scored his best ever finish and thrilled his home fans, standing on the podium in 3^rd at the #SanMarinoGP, making him the 14^th different rider to stand on the podium this season!

Aprilia’s best finish at the #AmericasGP is 10^th, in the 2018 and 2016 races. Aleix Espargaro will be Aprilia’s sole representative as Maverick Viñales has made the decision to withdraw from this weekend Grand Prix, with full support from Aprilia, following the tragic death of his young cousin Dean Berta Viñales just last weekend. We send our sincerest condolences and well wishes to Maverick and his family at this difficult time.

With Francesco Bagnaia in MotoGP, Raúl Fernández in Moto2 and Dennis Foggia in Moto3 all winning the #AragonGP and the #SanMarinoGP, this is the first time since 2017 that there have been the same winners across all 3 classes in 2 successive races. If this trio win again at the #AmericasGP  this will be the first time since 2001 there have been the same winners in 3 classes in 3 consecutive races.

The MotoGP World Championship leader, Fabio Quartararo is the only rider this season to score points at every race, as well as being the only rider who has not had to qualify through Q1. Quartararo arrives in the USA with a 48-point advantage over his closest rival – Francesco Bagnaia. Can Quartararo close in on the title, or will Bagnaia make it 3 on the bounce? We look forward to finding out as FP1 gets underway Friday October 1^st at 15:55 (GMT).