Verstappen – Foto: X.com/ F1
Max Verstappen secured pole position for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, the 19th round of the 2025 season, held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The main race takes place this Sunday, October 19, at 3 PM Brasília time, with live coverage on Band and F1TV streaming. The Red Bull driver outpaced Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc in Saturday’s qualifying, while Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto will start in 16th for Sauber. This grid position strengthens Verstappen’s title chase, aiming to close the gap to McLaren’s leading drivers.
The qualifying followed a chaotic sprint race earlier that day. Verstappen won the shortened event with ease, capitalizing on a first-lap crash that eliminated both McLaren drivers. Norris and Piastri, direct championship rivals, retired after a multi-car collision at Turn 1, allowing the Dutchman to gain extra points.
Bortoleto showed recovery in the sprint. Starting from the back, the Brazilian finished 11th, outperforming teammate Nico Hülkenberg. This performance suggests potential for points in the main race, despite qualifying struggles.
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 19, 2025
Sprint performance shapes strategies
The US GP sprint race exposed McLaren’s vulnerabilities. The team’s drivers, leading the Drivers’ Championship, suffered from the opening crash. Piastri, with 336 points, and Norris, with 314, saw Verstappen narrow the gap to 55 points overall.
Verstappen crossed the finish line under a safety car, triggered by a late collision between Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon. George Russell of Mercedes took second, followed by Carlos Sainz of Williams. The result underscores Red Bull’s strength on high-speed tracks like Austin.
Bortoleto avoided incidents and gained positions with clean overtakes. He noted improved car handling after aerodynamic setup tweaks.
Full starting grid for the race
Verstappen’s qualifying dominance was clear, posting a 1:32.510 lap time, unchallenged by rivals. Norris secured second, but McLaren faces internal challenges post-sprint.
Here’s the starting grid:
- 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2nd: Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 3rd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 4th: George Russell (Mercedes)
- 5th: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 6th: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 7th: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 8th: Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- 9th: Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- 10th: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- 11th: Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber)
- 12th: Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- 13th: Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
- 14th: Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- 15th: Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- 16th: Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
- 17th: Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- 18th: Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- 19th: Alexander Albon (Williams)
- 20th: Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
This lineup favors overtaking on Austin’s long straights.
Circuit of the Americas features
The Circuit of the Americas spans 5.513 km with 20 turns, featuring a steep climb at Turn 1. Opened in 2012, it replaced Indianapolis on the F1 calendar and hosts the series annually.
The track demands a balance of speed and traction. Front tires wear heavily in low-speed corners, while rears require management in strong accelerations. Teams like Red Bull and Mercedes optimized suspensions for grip.
Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most wins in Austin, with five. Verstappen, with three, aims to match him this year. Ferrari leads constructors’ poles here, with six.
Bortoleto, in his full debut at the circuit, focuses on braking zones. Hot conditions, with temperatures above 30°C, impact race pace.
Weekend schedule and broadcasts
The Austin round followed a tight schedule due to the sprint. On Friday, October 17, Free Practice 1 was at 1:30 PM, followed by Sprint Qualifying at 5:30 PM, both on BandSports and F1TV.
Saturday’s sprint race started at 1 PM, with the same broadcast. Main qualifying followed at 5 PM, also aired on Band. These times suited Brazilian viewers.
Sunday’s 56-lap race promises intense battles. Band covers it live, while F1TV offers onboard cameras and technical analysis. Digital platforms provide real-time updates.
Bortoleto’s outlook at Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto faces an adaptation season with Sauber. The 20-year-old Brazilian scores points sporadically and targets consistency in the final races. In Austin, he tested new floor upgrades.
Sauber ranks eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with 28 points. Hülkenberg contributes more, but Bortoleto shows pace in mixed sectors. For the US GP, avoiding start errors is key.
Bortoleto plans a conservative pit-stop strategy. Starting on medium tires, he aims to gain positions on straights. This could yield a top-10 finish if traffic is manageable.
Austin’s victory history
The US GP in Austin began in 2012, with Lewis Hamilton winning for McLaren. He dominated early editions, triumphing in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2022 with Mercedes. Michael Schumacher, with five US wins at other venues, is the second-most successful.
Ferrari leads constructors with 11 US victories. Verstappen, a recent force, won in 2021, 2023, and 2024. The track suits cars with strong aerodynamics in long corners.
In 2019, Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap record at 1:36.169, still standing. Track upgrades include better drainage for rare rain.
