USA GP Preview: Oscar Piastri looks to bounce back as Verstappen and Norris tighten gap
13th October 2025Formula 1 returns to the USA for the second time this season as the drivers’ championship simmers towards boiling point.
Feature image credit:
The Circuit of the Americas (COTA) awaits for the 12th time in F1’s history, in what will also be the fourth sprint weekend of the season.
Following another disappointing result in Singapore for championship leader Oscar Piastri, the Australian will be desperate to reassert his dominance at COTA. Having seen his points advantage reduced again by Max Verstappen and teammate Lando Norris who both scored a podium last time out, the USA GP will be a defining moment in the Aussie’s season.
Piastri and Norris’ inter team battle will continue to be one of the biggest stories of the weekend after yet more contact and controversy in Singapore. The “papaya rules” appear to be a relic of the past following multiple incidents between the pair, as the intra-team rivalry intensifies ahead of the final six rounds.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen continues to remain as a championship outsider from the McLarens, following a recent resurgence seeing the Dutchman score a top two finish in each of the last four races. As the field begins to close together, expect a few surprises across the grid in America alongside a determined Verstappen, who can begin to see a fifth world championship look further in his grasp.
Mercedes is another team to have closed the gap to the front, with George Russell leading the way for the German team following his dominant win in Singapore. The Brit will have a point to prove again this weekend as his future at the Mercedes team remains uncertain following a stall in contract negotiations for 2026.
With persistent rumours of Max Verstappen’s potential switch to Mercedes looming in the near future, Russell will be determined to show that it should be him – and not teammate Kimi Antonelli – that maintains their position at the team.
2024’s race saw Verstappen edge out Sainz’s Ferrari for first in the sprint before Ferrari claimed a 1-2 in the race on Sunday. Charles Leclerc claimed top spot ahead of then teammate Carlos Sainz following a one-stop strategy.
2025 may not prove so kind to the scarlet team however following more technical issues in Singapore. Rumours of discontent are beginning to pour out of Maranello, after yet another year of disappointment in Italy, and the USA GP does not look set to ease any heartache for the Tifosi.
COTA’s medium speed layout, with a mixture of technical sections and long straights, may play more into the SF-25’s strengths however, as the car has shown more strength in medium-high downforce setups.
The 3.4-mile, 20-corner circuit has provided thrilling action since its debut in 2012, with its unique but familiar layout providing plenty of on-track action throughout its short history, as 2025 sets its self for more even more drama and high stakes racing.
United States Grand Prix: the latest weather report
The USA GP gets underway on Friday, 17th October, with free practice 1 set for 18:30-19:30 (BST) before sprint qualifying begins at 22:30.
Saturday begins with the sprint at 18:00-18:30, followed by qualifying at 22:00-23:00.
Finally, Sunday’s race sees lights out at 20:00.
Read more Formula 1 here:
- United States Grand Prix: the latest weather report
- 5 Explosive Flashpoints in the Oscar Piastri/Lando Norris title fight
- Singapore Grand Prix: 3 winners & losers under the lights
- Lewis Hamilton slapped with post-race penalty after Singapore Grand Prix
- Russell wins Singapore Grand Prix as McLaren take title
- Williams risk disqualification after Singapore Grand Prix qualifying
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to keep up with the latest news from ApexMotorsports.co.uk!
You can also support us on Patreon or our website!
