Buckle up, racing fans, because the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix is always a wild ride! But can anyone dethrone Max Verstappen at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas? He's been dominant here, and all eyes will be on him as the lights go out. Let's dive into everything you need to know about this thrilling race.
As the engines roar to life at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT) on Sunday, October 19, all eyes are on the starting grid. Verstappen, the Red Bull superstar, is starting on pole position, aiming for his fourth U.S. Grand Prix victory in just five years. That's some serious Texas-sized dominance!
Right behind him, ready to pounce, are McLaren's Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, starting second and third respectively. Leclerc, fresh off his 2024 victory, is definitely one to watch. Rounding out the top five are George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, both hungry for a podium finish.
And this is the part most people miss: the midfield battle is going to be intense. F1 Drivers’ Championship leader Oscar Piastri will start sixth. It's the second of three American races this season, with Miami and Las Vegas also on the calendar, and the 19th race out of a grueling 24-race season. Every point counts!
Live Updates from the Track
- Lap 22/56: Lewis Hamilton has made a strong move, climbing up to P3! Can he hold onto that position and secure his 10th podium finish in Austin? Here's a surprising fact: Despite joining Ferrari in 2025, he's still chasing his first Top 3 finish with the team.
- Lap 21/56: Lando Norris has successfully overtaken Charles Leclerc! The McLaren is looking quick.
- The gap between Verstappen and the rest of the pack is growing. He's building a commanding lead here in Austin.
- Retirement: Carlos Sainz is the first driver out of the race. A disappointing end to his day.
- Lap 6 Update: Sainz's race is over! He retired after a collision with young gun Kimi Antonelli. A costly mistake.
- Lap 1/56: The race is underway! Verstappen maintains his lead through the first turn, but Leclerc snatches second place from Norris. A chaotic start!
How to Watch the Race
In the United States, you can catch all the action live on ABC or stream it on Fubo. Fubo offers a comprehensive sports package, so you won't miss a single moment of the race. Check it out here: Fubo Link
Race Start Time
The race kicks off at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT). If you're watching from elsewhere in the world, F1 provides a handy global race start time map to make sure you don't miss the green light.
The U.S. Grand Prix Trophy: A Texas Touch
Keep an eye out for the unique U.S. Grand Prix trophy, inspired by the Texas Longhorns! It's a special award for the top three finishers, adding a local flavor to the global spectacle.
Starting Grid Order
Here's a detailed look at the starting grid:
- Row 1: 1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull); 2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Row 2: 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari); 4. George Russell (Mercedes)
- Row 3: 5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari); 6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Row 4: 7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes); 8. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
- Row 5: 9. Carlos Sainz (Williams); 10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Row 6: 11. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber); 12. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Row 7: 13. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull); 14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Row 8: 15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine); 16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- Row 9: 17. Esteban Ocon (Haas); 18. Lance Stroll (Austin Martin)
- Row 10: 19. Alexander Albon (Williams); 20. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
Sprint Race Recap
Max Verstappen also dominated the Sprint race on Saturday, taking the top step of the podium. George Russell and Carlos Sainz finished second and third, respectively. But here's where it gets controversial... the Sprint race wasn't without drama. McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided on Turn 1, forcing both to retire. Was it a racing incident, or was someone to blame?
Championship Standings Before Austin
- Drivers' Standings (Top 6): Oscar Piastri (336); Lando Norris (314); Max Verstappen (281); George Russell (244); Charles Leclerc (177); Lewis Hamilton (130)
- Constructors' Standings: McLaren (650); Mercedes (333), Ferrari (307), Red Bull (300), Williams (111), Racing Bulls (72), Aston Martin (68), Sauber (55), Haas (46) and Alpine (20)
McLaren is currently dominating the Constructors' Championship. Can anyone catch them?
The Future of F1 in Austin
Great news for American F1 fans! The U.S. Grand Prix will remain on the F1 calendar through 2034, securing its place as a staple of the racing season. This race has generated a whopping $7 billion in economic impact for Austin and Texas since 2012.
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali emphasized the race's growth and popularity, highlighting the passionate fans and the vibrant atmosphere of the circuit and city. Bobby Epstein, Chairman of Circuit of The Americas, expressed gratitude to the fans, teams, and the entire F1 community for their support.
F1 Races Moving to Apple TV in 2026
Get ready for a major shift in how you watch F1! Starting in 2026, all F1 races will be exclusively streamed on Apple TV. This five-year deal represents a significant investment in the sport's future. A bold move that could change everything.
Apple's Eddy Cue believes this partnership offers a huge growth opportunity for F1 in the U.S., comparing it to other major sports. But will fans embrace the streaming-only format?
F1 2025 Race Winners So Far
- March 16: Australian GP – Lando Norris (McLaren)
- March 23: Chinese GP – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- April 6: Japanese GP – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- April 13: Bahrain GP – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- April 20: Saudi Arabian GP – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- May 4: Miami GP – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- May 18: Emilia Romagna GP – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- May 25: Monaco GP – Lando Norris (McLaren)
- June 1: Spanish GP – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- June 15: Canadian GP – George Russell (Mercedes)
- June 29: Austrian GP – Lando Norris (McLaren)
- July 6: British GP – Lando Norris (McLaren)
- July 27: Belgian GP – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Aug. 3: Hungarian GP – Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Aug. 31: Dutch GP – Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Sept. 7: Italian GP – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Sept. 21: Azerbaijan GP – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Oct. 5: Singapore GP – George Russell (Mercedes)
- Oct: 19: U.S. Grand Prix (TBD)
Upcoming Races
- Oct. 24-26: Mexico City Grand Prix (Mexico)
- Nov. 7-9: São Paulo GP (Brazil)
- Nov. 20-22: Las Vegas Grand Prix (U.S.)
- Nov. 28-30: Qatar Grand Prix
- Dec. 5-7: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Who do you think will win the U.S. Grand Prix? Will Verstappen continue his dominance, or will Norris, Leclerc, or even Hamilton challenge for the victory? And what are your thoughts on the move to Apple TV in 2026? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
