After each Grand Prix, we present the RaceReport, offering you an exclusive and playful digital recap of the race weekend. Reporter André Venema brings you up to speed from Austin!
MIAMI IS FOR THE WEALTHY, LAS VEGAS FOR THE GAMBLERS, AUSTIN FOR THE PURE RACE FAN
Despite a ten-year contract, the future of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas was seriously in jeopardy in 2016. The then commercial rights holder put the organization under severe financial pressure. Nine years later, the event attracts nearly half a million spectators.
Thirteen years after the inaugural edition, the American Grand Prix in Austin firmly holds its place on the Formula 1 calendar. The event in the Texan capital has grown into one of the most beloved races worldwide. The Circuit of The Americas (COTA) combines technical challenges with long straights and spectacular elevation changes, making it a favorite among both drivers and fans.
What makes the American GP particularly special is the atmosphere surrounding the race. From the pit lane to the bustling center of Austin, it feels like a festival: live music with the world’s biggest artists at the circuit and ‘smaller’ bands in the city, thousands of fans in team colors roaming the city. The event attracts visitors from all corners of the world, particularly from Mexico, and has finally given the American interest in Formula 1 the desired boost after decades of failures.
The race is of great importance to the sport itself; the United States is a key market for the automotive industry. Large (American) sponsors and brands have jumped on board in recent years following the takeover of F1 by Liberty Media, also American. The spectacle in Austin embodies the American credo ‘bigger and better’ in every respect, symbolizing how Formula 1 is developing globally today.
What once seemed like a challenge for Formula 1 to establish a solid foothold on American soil, has now become one of the biggest spectacles on the calendar. In recent years, Miami and Las Vegas have made their grand entrance into the premier class. Miami is for the affluent, Las Vegas for the gamblers, and Austin for the pure racing enthusiasts.
Highlights from Austin
Max’s Quote
“Look, I don’t know what’s being said behind closed doors at McLaren. But when you leave the door ajar, as in Singapore, you get these kinds of situations. But McLaren has somewhat brought this upon themselves by trying to treat the drivers as equally as possible. A championship never runs 100% fairly: sometimes you have a bad pit stop, sometimes an engine breaks down. As a team, you can hardly balance that out, at least that’s my opinion. Then you sometimes get disgruntled faces.”
TOP & FLOP
Could the United States Grand Prix in Austin be the turning point of this F1 season? It’s quite possible. McLaren suffered significant damage at the Circuit of the Americas, and Max Verstappen seized his opportunity. Also deserving of praise is Charles Leclerc (third place) for his aggressive racing style. Here are the top and flop of the US Grand Prix!
TOP
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen had a dream weekend in Austin. The four-time world champion from Red Bull was superior in the sprint race on Saturday, and his victory gained extra value as McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris did not survive turn 1 and dropped out. In the qualifying later on Saturday, Verstappen was again superior. In fact, he needed only one fast run in Q3 to put the competition far behind. On Sunday, Verstappen crowned his performance by driving straight to victory from the start. His 68th win as an F1 driver was never in danger. Bottom line, he did more than excellent in the championship. His deficit to World Championship leader Oscar Piastri has shrunk to forty points with five GPs and two sprint races to go. In other words, game on!
FLOP: Oscar Piastri (and Zak Brown)
Oscar Piastri is often labeled as a cool customer, an ice-cold competitor who doesn’t make mistakes. But is that really the case? As the tension in the world championship escalates, he too is stringing together errors. In Austin, the Australian struggles all weekend with his form and the setup of his car. In the sprint race, Piastri crashes in turn 1 after contact with his teammate Lando Norris. Scholars disagree on who is to blame, but the accusations from McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown towards Nico Hülkenberg are utterly ridiculous. The American later realizes this and retracts his words. Meanwhile, Piastri has lost valuable championship points. On Sunday, he drives a lackluster race from P6 and ultimately has to settle for fifth place. There’s a good chance that, after looking at the new championship standings, he’s in for a few sleepless nights…
BEHIND THE SCENES
A look behind the scenes at the American Grand Prix!
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Results of the 2025 United States Grand Prix
The podium following the 2025 United States Grand Prix.
United States Grand Prix: Verstappen Wins Again, Shaking McLaren in the Title Fight
Please note that the text “WIN: ONE OF THESE TWO POSTERS!” is promotional content and has been removed as per the instructions.
Three Questions for… Gabriel Bortoleto
‘You must always be ready for a long, hard battle’
Gabriel Bortoleto (21) has quickly developed a special relationship with Max Verstappen. The world champion freely offers advice when the Brazilian asks for it. According to the Stake F1 driver, this has eased his debut year in F1.
Gabriel, as a newcomer, you’ve performed exceptionally well, matching your teammate Nico Hülkenberg. However, there seems to be a slight slump in recent months.
“True. We’ve tried various things recently, hoping they will pay off in the final stages of the season. In the races where we scored points, we had strong qualifying rounds and starting positions. Two weeks ago in Singapore, I was unlucky with a yellow flag in the first qualifying session, otherwise, I might have made it to Q3. Starting from the back, of course, makes overtaking difficult. We don’t have the strongest race speed, but other teams are also developing. So it’s getting a bit tougher, but I think we’re still capable of scoring points in this final phase of the season.”
You also spend a lot of time in the simulator. How important is this tool for you in discovering a new circuit, like in Austin?
“Very important. I’ve spent many hours in the simulator with the team and I also use it a lot at home. It’s a lot of work, perhaps even too much, but it makes me feel well-prepared. Then it’s about getting used to a new circuit during free practice and going full throttle in qualifying.”
Are you ready for an intense season like Lewis Hamilton and Hamilton had in 2021?
“Absolutely. You always have to be ready for a long, competitive battle. That season was exciting to follow, very intense. Hopefully, I’ll also get a season like that with a title at stake: fierce competition until the last race of the year.”
“The 2025 Formula 1 season is nearing its climax, and this weekend it’s time for the Grand Prix of Mexico. The race in Mexico City marks the twentieth round of the championship and is one of the most vibrant events on the calendar. In the busy final phase of the season, the teams and drivers are battling for every point, while fans gear up for three days of action, from the free practice sessions to the race on Sunday. Below is the full schedule, including Dutch times, for the 2025 Mexico GP.
Schedule for the 2025 Mexico GP
Friday, October 24
- First free practice: 18:30 – 19:30 UTC
- Second free practice: 22:00 – 23:00 UTC
Saturday, October 25
- Third free practice: 17:30 – 18:30 UTC
- Qualification: 21:00 – 22:00 UTC
Sunday, October 26
Race: 19:00 UTC
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