GP dos Estados Unidos – Foto: X.com/ F1
Formula 1 arrives at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, for the United States Grand Prix, the 19th stage of the 2025 season, starting this Friday (17). The event, featuring the fourth sprint race of the year on Saturday (18) at 2 p.m. Brasília time and the main race on Sunday (19) at 4 p.m., will be broadcast by Band, BandSports, and F1TV. The Drivers’ Championship battle remains intense, with Oscar Piastri leading, followed by Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. McLaren, already crowned constructors’ champion, faces internal tensions between its drivers.
The stage is set to intensify the rivalry at the top of the standings. Besides the sprint, which awards extra points, the Sunday race is crucial for the leaders. The circuit, known for its challenging corners, will test tire strategies and performance.
- Broadcast: Band, BandSports, and F1TV cover all sessions.
- Key timings: Free practice on Friday at 2:30 p.m., sprint on Saturday at 2 p.m., race on Sunday at 4 p.m.
- Highlight: Rivalry between Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen for the title.
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Detailed schedule
The US Grand Prix begins on Friday with free practice at 2:30 p.m., followed by the sprint qualifying at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, the sprint race is at 2 p.m., and the main race qualifying is at 6 p.m. The main race on Sunday starts at 4 p.m. All sessions are broadcast live, with Lance! providing real-time coverage.
The 5.513 km, 20-corner Austin track demands precision and strategy, especially in tire choices. In 2024, Charles Leclerc surprised with a commanding victory.
Race history
In 2024, Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari one-two with Carlos Sainz, outpacing Verstappen and Norris. The hard-tire strategy was key for the Monegasque, who took the lead at the start. Verstappen held third, while Piastri finished fifth. George Russell, starting from the pit lane, secured sixth.
The race saw intense battles in the final laps. Leclerc capitalized on the start to overtake the favorites, while Norris unsuccessfully challenged Verstappen. Ferrari showed strength, but McLaren remains dominant in 2025.
Drivers’ Championship rivalry
Oscar Piastri leads with 336 points, followed by Lando Norris with 314 and Max Verstappen with 273. The 22-point gap between McLaren’s drivers reflects team tensions, despite their constructors’ title. Verstappen, winless in Singapore, remains a constant threat.
The Austin race could shake up the standings, as the sprint offers up to eight extra points. Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton aim for strong results, while rookies like Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto seek to shine.
Circuit of the Americas spotlight
Inaugurated in 2012, the Circuit of the Americas is one of the most technical tracks on the calendar. Its high-speed corners, like the sector 1 sequence, demand aerodynamic balance. The main straight favors overtaking, but Texas heat can affect tire wear.
The track has hosted historic moments, like Kimi Raikkonen’s 2018 win. In 2025, the sprint and main race combination heightens the need for precise car setups.
Strategies and expectations
Tire choice will be critical in Austin, as seen in 2024 when hard tires enabled longer stints. Teams like McLaren and Red Bull are expected to adopt aggressive strategies to maximize points. Ferrari, after last year’s win, aims to repeat the feat.
High temperatures are forecast, potentially impacting race pace. Teams are also fine-tuning cars for the demanding layout, focusing on traction and stability.
Sprint race impact
Introduced in 2021, the sprint race adds excitement and extra points. In 2025, the fourth sprint could be pivotal for the Drivers’ Championship. With eight points for the winner, Saturday’s race directly affects the battle between Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen.
