🏁 2025 United States Grand Prix Preview – Circuit of the Americas

Austin, Texas – Formula 1 returns to American soil this weekend for the 2025 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, marking the start of the season’s final run. With six Grands Prix and three Sprint races remaining, the championship picture is beginning to take shape — but with a Sprint format in play, there’s still plenty left to fight for.

Championship standings

Drivers

1. Oscar Piastri 336
2. Lando Norris 314
3. Max Verstappen 273
4. George Russell 237
5. Charles Leclerc 173

Constructors

1. McLaren 650
2. Mercedes 325
3. Ferrari 298
4. Red Bull 290
5. Williams 102

The Championship Picture

After a thrilling and unpredictable campaign, Oscar Piastri leads the Drivers’ Championship on 336 points, ahead of teammate Lando Norris with 314 points, while Max Verstappen sits third on 273 points. The intra-team battle between the McLaren drivers continues to be one of the defining stories of the 2025 season.

In the Constructors’ Championship, McLaren has already secured back-to-back titles, clinching the championship in Singapore — their first consecutive Constructors’ crowns since 1990 and 1991, when Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger led the team to dominance. McLaren also tied a modern-era record by sealing the championship with six races remaining, matching Red Bull’s early clinch from 2023.

Constructors’ Battle Heats Up

While McLaren’s title is settled, the fight for second place in the Constructors’ Championship remains wide open. Mercedes currently leads that battle with 325 points, narrowly ahead of Ferrari (298) and Red Bull (290).

Mercedes jumped ahead of Ferrari after an impressive showing at the Singapore Grand Prix, where George Russell claimed a crucial victory and rookie Kimi Antonelli delivered a strong fifth-place finish, both finishing ahead of the Ferraris. The result marked one of Mercedes’ strongest weekends of the season and pushed the team back into contention for the runner-up spot in the standings.

For Ferrari, the loss of ground in the championship adds further pressure amid ongoing reliability issues and a development freeze as the team pivots focus toward the 2026 regulation changes. Red Bull, meanwhile, has struggled for consistency but remains within striking distance if they can capitalize on any slip-ups from their rivals. With six rounds to go, every point from both the Sprint and Grand Prix sessions will be vital in deciding which of these three giants finishes as “best of the rest.”

Ferrari’s Focus and Recent Struggles

Since the double DNF at the Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari’s 2025 campaign has been marred by recurring brake reliability and performance issues. In Singapore, Lewis Hamilton managed to limp home in eighth place after a five-second penalty for track limits, while Charles Leclerc was forced to carefully manage brake temperatures throughout the race, unable to show full pace.

Ferrari has since redirected its resources toward the 2026 car, pausing major upgrades for the remainder of the season. The team’s hope is that prioritizing long-term development will pay dividends when the new hybrid and aerodynamic regulations come into effect next year.

The Track

The Circuit of the Americas (COTA), located just outside Austin, Texas, is a 5.513 km (3.426-mile) circuit featuring 20 corners and one of the most dramatic elevation changes on the calendar. The steep, uphill run into Turn 1 remains among Formula 1’s most iconic overtaking zones.

COTA’s blend of high-speed esses, a technical mid-sector, and a long back straight demands aerodynamic balance and efficient tire management. The rough surface often leads to significant tire wear, adding a layer of strategic complexity. Three DRS zones — on the pit straight, the back straight, and the short run into Turn 1 — will once again ensure plenty of overtaking opportunities.

Last year’s race saw Charles Leclerc claim victory for Ferrari after a commanding drive, ending Red Bull’s dominance at the circuit and marking one of the standout performances of the 2024 season.

Sprint Format Returns

This weekend marks the first Sprint event of the final stretch, bringing an extra dose of unpredictability to Austin. The 2025 Sprint format features independent qualifying sessions for both the Sprint and Grand Prix, giving teams more flexibility in setup but increasing the margin for error.

With additional points available on Saturday, the Sprint could have significant championship implications. For McLaren’s battling duo, it’s another opportunity to gain — or lose — ground.

What to Watch

• Championship momentum: Piastri’s consistency versus Norris’s late-season push — can McLaren balance internal competition?
• Verstappen’s rebound: After recent struggles, the Red Bull driver looks to recapture form at a circuit where he’s often excelled.
• The fight for second: Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull are separated by just 35 points — every result matters.
• Ferrari’s 2026 focus: With development paused, can they hold off their rivals with what they have?
• Tire and brake management: COTA’s abrasive surface will test both durability and driver finesse.

Race Predictions

Sprint Race Predictions

1. 1. Max Verstappen
   2. Oscar Piastri
   3. Lando Norris

Grand Prix Predictions

1. 1. Oscar Piastri
   2. Max Verstappen
   3. Lando Norris

Weekend Schedule (Eastern Time)

• Friday, October 17: Free Practice – 1:30 PM / Sprint Qualifying – 5:30 PM
• Saturday, October 18: Sprint Race – 1:00 PM / Grand Prix Qualifying – 5:00 PM
• Sunday, October 19: United States Grand Prix – 3:00 PM

Outlook

As Formula 1 enters the final phase of the 2025 season, the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas promises another weekend of crucial championship drama. With McLaren’s dominance confirmed, attention now turns to the tense Constructors’ battle behind them, Ferrari’s search for redemption, and the ever-shifting fight for individual glory.

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Stay tuned to The RaceCraft Report for full coverage, analysis, and results from the 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend.