F1 2025: US GP - Austin (Oct 19)

<b><span class="theme-aware-color" style="--user-color: Red;"><span style="display: inline-block; font-size: 113%; line-height: 1.45;">F1 2025: US GP - Austin (Oct 19)</span></span></b>

Schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2025/united-states
(Start times adjusts automatically to your local time/date depending on your browsers/internet settings)
This is a SPRINT weekend

Circuit:
Circuit of The Americas



Circuit stats:
First Grand Prix: 2012
Number of Laps: 56
Circuit Length: 4.94 km
Race Distance: 308.728 km
Lap Record: 1:36.169 (Charles Leclerc 2019)

Tires:

https://press.pirelli.com/a-texas-rodeo-with-a-jump-in-compounds/

Onboard Lap:
(2024 Lando Norris pole lap)
2024 thread:
F1 2024: US GP - Austin (Oct 20)

2024 race highlights:

So what are your predictions?

Last race in Singapore sure shed some light on dynamics within the McLaren team and where they now stand. Their qualification was pretty bad which is a problem in Singapore. But how will that be in Austin? For sure overtaking is easier there.
I think tyredeg is still very much a strong point for the McLaren's, but now that the WCC is won, the battle between Norris and Piastri wil get stronger. It's gloves off. If there's one person who can profit from that......it's Max
However, I expect Oscar Piastri to take the win though.

This is my prediction:

1. PIA
2. VER
3. NOR
4. RUS
5. LEC
6. ANT
7. HAD
8. ALB
9. HAM
10. SAI

For people who don't place predictions: please refrain from giving negative comments after the race on predictions other members have given. Nobody makes perfect predictions, and if you don't make predictions yourself, you're not showing you know better.

With 33 points up for grabs for the winner of both the sprint and race my prediction is for MAX to nail that with perfect set up car and as pole is not that important here a race set up will benefit. RUS is on a high winning the last fight in Singapore and if he gets ahead of the papayas then it could get clashy and PIA and NOR have to finish with no mistakes, so as such..
1. MAX (both sprint and race
2. RUS
3. NOR (blowing a kiss to PIA
4. PIA
5. LEC
6. LEW (with aftermarket brake pads
7. SAI
8. TSU
9. BEA
10. ALO

^I would love to see Zac Brown's face after the race if that would be the outcome

I don't mind either Lando nor Oscar winning the WDC (I would prefer and also expect PIA between the two, I think his lead on Max is too big that Max can do anything about it), but I hate to see Zac Brown getting that WDC

GuidoK wrote

^I would love to see Zac Brown's face after the race if that would be the outcome

I don't mind either Lando nor Oscar winning the WDC (I would prefer and also expect PIA between the two, I think his lead on Max is too big that Max can do anything about it), but I hate to see Zac Brown getting that WDC

Agree the gap is more than small, at this time it's 63 points to PIA and 41 to NOR and realistically a DNF especially for PIA would bring in more cheers from the crowds of fans. Ideally (for me) MAX leading with RUS as tail end Charlie would inadvertently to George be helping MAX, so would be good that MAX is leading after that first hairpin at the start.

M5Rick wrote

Agree the gap is more than small, at this time it's 63 points to PIA and 41 to NOR and realistically a DNF especially for PIA would bring in more cheers from the crowds of fans. Ideally (for me) MAX leading with RUS as tail end Charlie would inadvertently to George be helping MAX, so would be good that MAX is leading after that first hairpin at the start.

COTA has a long straight between turns 11 and 12, which is approximately 0.73 miles (1.18 km) long (!)

So , It's time again to put that RB21 low downforce package on again ...
The rest will be executed by MAX (as usual)!

#UnLeashTheLion

///M Power-Belgium wrote

COTA has a long straight between turns 11 and 12, which is approximately 0.73 miles (1.18 km) long (!)

So , It's time again to put that RB21 low downforce package on again ...
The rest will be executed by MAX (as usual)!

#UnLeashTheLion

If only you could repeat the Lion on top of Charlie's car in the same scene as one of of the Larens, but not Lando's as he blew a kiss to MAX

Well good people, I'll end my day with this piece, could be clickbait but maybe a clue why Lando could be getting the star treatment.

GuidoK wrote

So what are your predictions?

Weather forecast is fine and sunny (and hot)
Aston Martin to struggle with the low downforce sections of COTA and general balance
Ferrari and Mercedes will struggle with tyre wear
I think Racing Bulls and Williams will do quite well

My Predictions

1. NOR
2. VER
3. PIA
4. RUS
5. SAI
6. HAD
7. LEC
8. HAM
9. ALB
10. LAW

M5Rick wrote

Well good people, I'll end my day with this piece, could be clickbait but maybe a clue why Lando could be getting the star treatment.

If true Charlie will get the last laugh

Race weekend tires info:

"A Texas rodeo with a jump in compounds"
https://press.pirelli.com/a-texas-rodeo-with-a-jump-in-compounds/

For this week only, in honor of F1 in America!

Carlos doesn't understand why RB didn't want him

NickyC wrote

For this week only, in honor of F1 in America!

Wrap?

G30M wrote

Carlos doesn't understand why RB didn't want him

The problem is that Carlos thinks he's as good as Max (where Max outclassed him easily in his 1st year and SAI was 3 years older with 3 years more open wheel experience).

A team like Red Bull only (or any F1 team really) hires a driver in 4 situations:
1. he brings in a sh!tload of money (not really important for RB, they have enough money, but more is better)
2. he's a new talent with potential that could one day rival their best driver (SAI is not a rookie, everyone knows how good he is (not as good as Max) and he won't get suddenly better). This driver play's 2nd fiddle compared to your #1 driver.
3. He's a better or rival driver to your best driver (which SAI isn't but within Williams he potentially is)
4. He's a very experienced driver, can bring valueable experience, but when push comes to shove has to play 2nd fiddle to your #1 driver.
This last one is the only role SAI could play in RB. Somehow I doubt he will, and at RB they don't want Ham/Ros or SEN/PRO like situations.
RB is clearly focussing on WDC, not WCC. WCC is nice for the team members as the prize bonus you get, get's divided amongst the employees, but it holds little value compared to the WDC. The WDC is where the big money from sponsors comes from as that gets by far the most media exposure.

So there's only room for SAI within RB if he's prepared to play a supporting role to Max. I don't think he's at that point in his career yet.

M5Rick wrote

Wrap?

I think he means the black F1 sticker in the window (subtle, I had to look twice too)

GuidoK wrote

I think he means the black F1 sticker in the window (subtle, I had to look twice too)

Oh right I see it now, it's quite hidden under the dark tint glass. I would choose a Lone Star F1 sticker that would stand out and put it on the outside of glass

GuidoK wrote

The problem is that Carlos thinks he's as good as Max (where Max outclassed him easily in his 1st year and SAI was 3 years older with 3 years more open wheel experience).

A team like Red Bull only (or any F1 team really) hires a driver in 4 situations:
1. he brings in a sh!tload of money (not really important for RB, they have enough money, but more is better)
2. he's a new talent with potential that could one day rival their best driver (SAI is not a rookie, everyone knows how good he is (not as good as Max) and he won't get suddenly better). This driver play's 2nd fiddle compared to your #1 driver.
3. He's a better or rival driver to your best driver (which SAI isn't but within Williams he potentially is)
4. He's a very experienced driver, can bring valueable experience, but when push comes to shove has to play 2nd fiddle to your #1 driver.
This last one is the only role SAI could play in RB. Somehow I doubt he will, and at RB they don't want Ham/Ros or SEN/PRO like situations.
RB is clearly focussing on WDC, not WCC. WCC is nice for the team members as the prize bonus you get, get's divided amongst the employees, but it holds little value compared to the WDC. The WDC is where the big money from sponsors comes from as that gets by far the most media exposure.

So there's only room for SAI within RB if he's prepared to play a supporting role to Max. I don't think he's at that point in his career yet.

This is why second drivers have cold feet accepting a drive with MAX in the team and Carlos seems to have no qualms about that being bold unlike others..as such RB could be scared in case he challenges Max too much. HAD on the other hand sees doubts already but has no choice if told to move to sister team unless he jumps the RB ship to another.

GuidoK wrote

I think he means the black F1 sticker in the window (subtle, I had to look twice too)

And indicating on his front seats that Max is WDC #3 and WCC #4 (///M4).

Love this race! Always falls on my birthday weekend!

I love watching the guys do all of the cowboy stuff, its pretty hilarious. Last year, Carlos and Charles in the cowboy store getting fitted for hats and they were trying to talk like a cowboy..I thought that was funny as shit. Seems like the drivers have a good time while in Austin for the race.

M5Rick wrote

Wrap?

No, that’s paint. Individual color, Frozen Dark Blue II. I meant the matte black F1 sticker on the side window panel.

NickyC wrote

No, that’s paint. Individual color, Frozen Dark Blue II. I meant the matte black F1 sticker on the side window panel.

Clearly visible now knowing where to look and cool satin blue car colour too