2025 United States Grand Prix at COTA — Key Stats & Storylines
- Racing Statistics
- Oct 17
- 2 min read
Austin’s Circuit of the Americas hosts the U.S. Grand Prix for the 13th time, and it’s a sprint weekend again—round 19 of a 24-race season. COTA runs counter-clockwise over 5.513 km, with 56 laps for a 308.405 km race.
The start is set for 19:00 GMT (14:00 local). The lap record remains Charles Leclerc’s 1:36.169 from 2019. Last year’s headlines here: Leclerc won the race; Lando Norris took pole with a 1:32.330.
Who’s won in Austin?
Only a handful of current drivers have triumphed at COTA: Lewis Hamilton (2012, 2014–2017), Max Verstappen (2021–2023), and Charles Leclerc (2024). McLaren’s sole Austin win came via Hamilton back in 2012—interesting context given their current form.
Championship picture before United States Grand Prix at COTA
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leads teammate Norris by 22 points with six rounds to go (plus three Saturday sprints). Max Verstappen sits third, 63 points off the lead—still within striking distance if the frontrunners stumble. On the teams’ side, McLaren already sealed a 10th constructors’ title earlier this month in Singapore.
2025 winners & momentum
Piastri tops the season with seven wins, Norris has five, Verstappen four, and George Russell two. McLaren’s consistency is stark: 12 wins from 18 races so far. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s last victory came at Spa on July 28, 2024, and Ferrari haven’t won since Mexico on Oct. 27, 2024.
Qualifying & podium trends
Verstappen leads the poles tally this season (6), ahead of Piastri (5), Norris (4), Russell (2), and Leclerc (1). Both McLaren drivers have stood on the podium 14 times in 18 races, underlining the team’s week-in, week-out execution. Ferrari’s best result of 2025 remains Leclerc’s P2 in Monaco; Hamilton is still chasing a first podium in red. So far, nine drivers from seven teams have made the rostrum—healthy competitive depth.
Points oddities
No driver has scored at every round, and Alpine rookie Franco Colapinto is the only driver yet to score in 2025—a reminder that midfield volatility is real this year.
What to watch at COTA
Starts & strategy: That steep climb to Turn 1 plus a sprint format often magnify qualifying position and tyre calls.
McLaren vs. Red Bull: With McLaren’s title already clinched, the focus shifts to Piastri vs. Norris—and whether Verstappen can eat into the deficit.
Ferrari’s ceiling: Pace has flickered, but they’re searching for a breakthrough podium for Hamilton and a first win of 2025.
Where to watch the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix?
Fans worldwide have multiple options to catch the live action:
F1 TV: Formula 1's official streaming service, F1 TV Pro, offers live coverage of all testing sessions. Subscribers can access real-time footage, team radios, and expert commentary.
UK: Sky Sports
US: ESPN+
Italy: Sky Italia
Germany: Sky Deutschland
France: Canal+, Canal+ Sport
Spain: DAZN F1
Netherlands: Viaplay
Australia: Kayo, Foxtel
Canada: TSN+
Japan: Fuji TV
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