United States Grand Prix 2025 preview: Key F1 talking points
14 October 2025Formula 1 heads stateside for one of the most popular races on the calendar, the 2025 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
Round 19 of the 2025 F1 season promises fireworks on and off the track, with the return of the Sprint format, the fight for the Drivers’ Championship heating up and lots of other intriguing storylines set to play out at a circuit that consistently generates entertaining races.
Here are the key storylines ahead of the 2025 US Grand Prix.
The return of the Sprint Race: More points on the line in Austin
For the first time since the Belgian Grand Prix in late July, the Sprint Race format makes its return for the 2025 United States Grand Prix, adding another layer of jeopardy to a weekend already in the spotlight.
COTA has form with Sprint events, having hosted them in 2023 and 2024, with the short, action-packed Saturday races often producing plenty of overtaking aided by the circuit’s long DRS zone down the back straight.
For title contenders Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, the Sprint could prove pivotal with eight additional points up for grabs. Likewise, for Max Verstappen, who is hunting the two McLarens, the extra points could bring him further into contention.
All eyes on the Drivers’ Championship: Lando vs Oscar vs Max
The 2025 Drivers’ Championship takes centre stage in Austin, after McLaren wrapped up the Constructors’ title last time out in Singapore.
Oscar and Lando traded blows at Turn 3, with the Australian clearly frustrated over team radio during the race. With the team’s title now settled and tensions continuing to heighten between the drivers, could Austin mark a ‘gloves off’ moment in the fight for the crown in 2025?
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s run of form since Monza has kept him in mathematical contention, though he needs both McLaren drivers to slip up to have a realistic shot at a fifth title.
COTA has traditionally been a strong track for Verstappen – he’s a three-time winner there – but McLaren’s 2025 challenger has excelled at circuits with characteristics that mimic Austin’s like Silverstone and Spa.
Can Mercedes and Russell carry momentum from Singapore?
Mercedes scored an assured victory in Singapore, with George Russell taking a second win of the season for the silver arrows, providing even more ammunition in his ongoing contract talks with Toto Wolff.
The team from Brackley is locked in a battle with Ferrari and Red Bull for second place in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, and Russell’s maximum points haul helped them edge ahead.
The big question is whether Mercedes’ momentum will carry over to Austin. COTA’s mix of fast sweepers and long straights is very different to Singapore, so it remains to be seen whether the Russell/W16 combination will be as competitive stateside.
The Red Bull merry-go-round: Three seats, four drivers
Away from the title fight, the Red Bull driver line-up for 2026 is becoming one of the hottest talking points in the paddock.
Yuki Tsunoda’s form in the second Red Bull has seen an upward trend in recent races, while Isack Hadjar has shown he’s capable of delivering spectacular results with an inspired podium at Zandvoort.
Liam Lawson also impressed with his front-running and eventual fifth place at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as well as teenage prodigy Arvid Lindblad, who is very much in the frame after his Silverstone FP1 outing with Red Bull.
With three seats up for grabs in 2026 and four hungry drivers looking to fill them, they’ll be pushing for their best results in the final six races of the season.
