Diffey: "This is our Super Bowl"

The drivers' world championship may be settled in his favor, but Sebastian Vettel still has a lot on the line this weekend in the second annual United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas as he goes for an unprecedented eighth consecutive victory, which would eclipse Michael Schumacher's seven consecutive win streak in 2004. NBC Sports Group is pulling out all the stops for its coverage of the potentially historic race, which airs live on NBC at 2 p.m. ET, culminating more than 18 hours of Formula 1 coverage across NBC, NBCSN and CNBC this weekend.

Race coverage will begin with , NBC's 60-minute, on-site pre-race show, at 1 p.m. ET hosted by NBC Sports Group's lead F1 commentator Leigh Diffey.

?This is our Super Bowl. We're gearing up for the biggest game of our year,? said Diffey, who will be on-site at COTA alongside David Hobbs (analyst), Steve Matchett (analyst), and Will Buxton (reporter).

Hobbs noted that the prospect of a new record for Vettel lends extra significance to the event. ?We are looking at a genius behind the wheel. We are seeing history being made here,? he said.

Added Buxton of Vettel: ?When you put him in a car, he is a ruthless operator?he's likeable outside of the car, but he is unflinching in his determination to win at all costs?he is the all-around sporting superstar.?

In addition to pre-race analysis, will feature a sit-down interview with Diffey and Vettel, and an introduction to the race voiced over by director Ron Howard.