2025 US Grand Prix
About the Grand Prix: The United States GP dates back to the 1950s. It has been held at six circuits: Sebring, Riverside, Watkins Glen, Phoenix, Indianapolis, and COTA. Bruce McLaren won the first US GP held at Sebring in 1959 in his Cooper-Climax. After a gap following the '07 US GP at Indy, the US GP returned in 2012, hosted at the brand-new Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX. The GP at COTA is contracted until 2026.
About the Circuit: The Circuit of the Americas is a twenty-corner permanent motor racing circuit 3.426 miles (5.514 km) long. With a combination of fast sweeping corners, high-speed esses modeled after maggotts and becketts (Silverstone), and the iconic hill climb corner 1, COTA is a beloved circuit on the F1 calendar. The race is 56 laps long.
McLaren: the constructors' title is clinched; it's gloves off for the driver's title. This is the first time in two seasons we might see it get a bit messy at McLaren, and honestly, I don't think Zak will care. Two consecutive constructors' titles, a guarantee that one of his drivers will win the title —this drama is good for business. It's all eyes on McLaren right now, six races to go and counting.
Mercedes: It was a pristine weekend for George Russell, pole position and a race win is about as good as it gets. Kimi had a great weekend as well, just a few steps behind George, but bringing home good points with a fifth-place finish. Mercedes opened up a 27-point lead over Ferrari for 2nd in the constructors' standings. Mercedes was impressive in Singapore. If they can replicate this type of competitiveness for a few more weekends, they will edge out Ferrari for second in the constructors, which only highlights how strong George has been all season.
Ferrari: A strange weekend in Singapore; hovered mid-top 10 all weekend. With a quirky brake problem at the end of the race sabotaging Hamilton's late-race charge, which would likely have resulted in a top-5 finish, honestly, that would have been about as good as it would have gotten —a bit lackluster. Ferrari has had success in Texas, and Lewis and Charles have both had success at COTA. Ferrari needs to make a statement, or Mercedes will ride off with second in the constructors, and a surging Max could see Ferrari in fourth. It's now or never for Ferrari to put up a fight.
Red Bull: At this point, I don't see any reason to count Max Verstappen out of any weekend for the remainder of the season. Qualifying speed and race pace are the recipe for success, and he delivers every weekend. It's a sprint weekend, and Max is king of Sprint weekends. Could you imagine a Verstappen sprint win, an overzealous McLaren teammate battle into turn 1 of the grand prix, and a 30-point swing for Verstappen in one weekend?
Williams: It wasn't the best weekend for Williams after the double DSQ for a wing issue during qualifying. Both cars started from the back of the grid, and Sainz even pulled off a point, despite the starting spot. Williams is still riding high off the podium and season-long momentum. COTA has traditionally been a strong circuit for Williams, expect another impressive weekend. It's double points or bust.
VCARB: Liam and Isack have been on a hot streak, and Texas is a familiar site of success for VCARB/Torro Rosso, with more points finishes than non-points finishes. Max Verstappen even finished fourth for Toro Rosso at the 2015 US GP at COTA. You refresh your memory: it was last season's race at COTA where Liam made his debut with the team, bringing home a ninth-place points finish. Isack might be the most impressive rookie of this highly talented first-year class, so there's no reason why VCARB can't have a massive points haul between the sprint and grand prix. With a four-point lead over Aston Martin, the team needs some solid points to build a cushion for what could be an impressive sixth place in the constructors' standings.
Aston Martin: Aston Martin has been on a nice run; seven points finishes in the last ten races, three of those double points. The team found more of a rhythm and figured out how to fight for points. Alonso has had quite a few top 5 finishes at COTA, so success here is not new to him. Lance's best finish was seventh at the '23 US GP. It's imperative that the team stays within striking distance of VCARB, or that gap could expand rapidly.
Kick Sauber: Gabi is fresh off his 21st Birthday, and the team has so much momentum following the last ten races, with seven points finishes. Kick Sauber is a VIBE. Every weekend, the expectations are high, and it's like watching a magician pull a rabbit out of a hat. COTA has been a very strong circuit for Nico in the past, with multiple points finishes and two sixth-place finishes. Gabi is on fire, and Nico's experience could help this team put together a very strong weekend. It's highly unlikely the team will leave Texas without some points between the two races.
Haas: A home GP for Haas —the last US GP with only one US team. Next year, Cadillac will be on the grid, bringing two US teams to the US Grand Prix. Ollie drove at peak form the entire Singapore weekend. If the team can give the drivers a good car, there's a chance of walking away with a point or two between the spring and GP. You can never really count Haas out; they always surprise the fans with great team weekends, deep in the heart of TexHAAS.
Alpine: Not traditionally a strong circuit for Alpine or Pierre Gasly, excluding his 2023 sixth-place finish in Austin. I would not put the odds high on Alpine walking away from Texas with any points, but if they do, it will be an excellent weekend for the team. Franco did score a point in the '24 GP with Williams.
