The roar of engines, the tension of championship stakes, and the electric atmosphere of Austin, Texas—Formula 1 is back in the United States for the 2025 Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Scheduled from October 17 to 19, this marks the 19th round of a season that’s been anything but predictable. With McLaren having already clinched their second consecutive Constructors’ Championship in Singapore, all eyes now turn to the razor-thin battle for the Drivers’ crown. The Lone Star State is ready for a motorsport showdown that could shape the rest of the year.
McLaren’s dominance in the team standings has been clear for weeks. After reaching a massive 650 points following the Singapore Grand Prix, the British squad left Mercedes and Ferrari in the dust, mathematically locking up the title. But the drama is far from over. The Drivers’ Championship is a nail-biter, with Oscar Piastri leading the charge at 336 points, closely followed by his teammate Lando Norris at 314. Not far behind, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen sits at 273, determined to spoil the McLaren party and keep his hopes for a fifth consecutive title alive.
The stakes are sky-high in Austin, where 33 points are up for grabs across the Sprint Race and the main Grand Prix. With such a haul available, the Texas weekend could be a genuine turning point in the fight for individual glory. If you think the Constructors’ race was a runaway, the Drivers’ battle promises fireworks right down to the wire.
The action kicks off on Friday, October 17, with Free Practice 1 from 10:30 to 11:30 AM CDT. Teams will have just 60 minutes to fine-tune their machines before Sprint Qualifying later that afternoon at 2:30 PM. Saturday, October 18, brings the Sprint Race at 10:00 AM and the all-important Qualifying session at 2:00 PM. The main event—the Grand Prix itself—unfolds on Sunday, October 19, at 12:00 PM local time (1:00 PM ET). For those tuning in from the United States, ABC will broadcast the race live at 3:00 PM ET, while practice, qualifying, and the sprint will air on ESPN2, ESPN Select, and ESPNews. Streaming is available via ESPN+ and the ESPN app, and F1 TV Pro offers comprehensive coverage for global fans.
But there’s more to the COTA weekend than just racing. This year, the event transforms into a festival, with live performances by Kygo, Garth Brooks, and Turnpike Troubadours lighting up the entertainment schedule. It’s a true celebration of speed and sound, all set against the backdrop of one of F1’s most popular circuits.
Let’s talk about the track. The Circuit of the Americas debuted in 2012 and quickly became a favorite among drivers and fans. The 5.513-kilometer layout features 20 challenging turns, two DRS zones for overtaking, and a total race distance of 308.728 kilometers. The lap record? A blistering 1:36.169, set by Charles Leclerc in 2019. But here’s a twist: pole position doesn’t guarantee victory in Austin. Out of twelve races, only five polesitters have converted their Saturday success into a Sunday win. In fact, in the last three editions, no driver starting from pole has even made the podium. It’s a statistic that keeps teams guessing and strategists on their toes.
Speaking of Leclerc, the Ferrari ace won last year’s US Grand Prix but arrives in Austin after a tough outing in Singapore. He’ll be looking to bounce back and remind the paddock of his pedigree. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, a three-time winner at COTA, aims to reclaim the top step of the podium after missing out in Asia. Neither Oscar Piastri nor Lando Norris has tasted victory in Austin, but with McLaren’s current form, both are strong contenders to break that streak this weekend.
The current Drivers’ standings reflect just how close this season has been. After Singapore, Oscar Piastri leads with 336 points, Lando Norris is right behind with 314, and Max Verstappen holds third at 273. Further down, George Russell (Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) round out the top five, with 237 and 173 points respectively. The Manufacturers’ table tells a story of McLaren’s dominance: 650 points, with Mercedes (325), Ferrari (298), and Red Bull (290) trailing far behind. Williams, Racing Bulls, Aston Martin, Sauber, Haas, and Alpine complete the list, each fighting for valuable points and pride.
Fans planning to watch the race have a multitude of options. In the US, cable-cutters can catch the action on ESPN’s suite of channels, with streaming available through Sling TV Orange, Hulu+Live TV, and YouTube TV. International viewers have their own choices: RTBF in Belgium, Servus TV and ORF in Austria, RTL in Germany, Channel 4 in the UK (for highlights), 10Play in Australia, CTV in Canada, and TV8 in Italy. For those traveling or living abroad, VPN services like ExpressVPN can help bypass geo-blocks, ensuring you don’t miss a second of the action. Sky Sports F1 continues to broadcast every session in the UK, with streaming via Sky Go for subscribers.
Let’s not forget the unique format of this weekend. As a sprint weekend, teams only get 60 minutes of practice before the competitive sessions begin. That’s precious little time to dial in setups, making adaptability and quick thinking more important than ever. With so much at stake, even the smallest error could have huge implications for the championship picture.
Looking back, last year’s US Grand Prix was a masterclass in comeback driving by Max Verstappen, who charged from sixth on the grid to claim victory. Lando Norris, meanwhile, managed to salvage fourth place and twelve hard-earned points. The unpredictability of COTA means anything can happen—will history repeat itself, or will a new name be etched into the winner’s trophy?
As the engines prepare to fire up in Austin, anticipation is at a fever pitch. The Constructors’ title may have been settled, but the Drivers’ Championship is wide open, with every corner, pit stop, and strategy call carrying immense weight. Add in the Texas flair, a packed entertainment lineup, and the ever-present threat of the unexpected, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a classic Grand Prix weekend.
With the championship battle intensifying and the unpredictability of COTA looming large, fans can expect a thrilling spectacle both on and off the track. As Sunday’s race approaches, the only certainty is that Formula 1’s visit to Austin will keep everyone guessing right up to the checkered flag.
