F1 Austin 2025, can Ferrari replicate the 2024 performance?”

With six races to go, Formula 1 heads for a long-haul trip to the other side of the world after the last stop in Singapore.
From October 17 to 19, the circus will tackle the fast and flowing Circuit of the Americas in F1 Austin, Texas.

The layout, measuring 5.513 km, features 20 corners:

• the first sector is defined by high-speed bends,
• the second includes a 1 km straight where DRS can be activated,
• and the third is more technical, with slower, more intricate turns.

Drivers will complete 56 laps, covering a total distance of 308 km.

The Circuit of The Americas (COTA), designed by Hermann Tilke in collaboration with the American architecture firm HKS, had a rather troubled start, with several construction delays.
The wait, however, was worth it: the track was officially inaugurated on October 21, 2012, when former world champion Mario Andretti cut the ribbon.

Ferrari’s Triumph in 2024

Last year, the United States Grand Prix turned into a true Ferrari triumph.
Charles Leclerc dominated the race, crossing the finish line in 1:35:09.639 to take a well-deserved victory.

Behind him, Carlos Sainz completed a Ferrari one-two, finishing 8.562 seconds adrift.
Max Verstappen rounded out the podium in third place, 19.412 seconds behind the leader.

Further back, Lando Norris finished fourth (+20.354s), followed by Oscar Piastri in fifth (+21.921s).

WEC Also Lights Up Austin

Formula 1 isn’t the only series to visit this circuit: the WEC recently hosted its third-to-last round of the season at COTA, where the Porsche 963 claimed a well-deserved victory.
The race was marked by rain from start to finish, putting both drivers and strategies to the test.

For the Stuttgart manufacturer, it was the first and only win of a 2025 season so far dominated by Ferrari.

F1 Austin, The 2025 Power Balance

Who are the strongest contenders this year?
It’s hard to say for sure, but Ferrari is expected to struggle a bit more compared to last season, when the Maranello team managed to keep the title fight alive until the final race in Abu Dhabi, battling head-to-head with McLaren.

That championship ultimately saw the British team take the title by just a few points after a fierce late-season battle.

This year, however, the crown already seems headed back to McLaren, with Ferrari currently third in the standings, closely followed by Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
Mercedes, sitting second, might try to interfere, but the most likely challenger to threaten the “papaya” cars remains Max.

Drivers’ Championship: Piastri vs Norris, Verstappen Chasing

In the Drivers’ Championship, the fight is still on.
McLaren’s two teammates, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, lead the way with 336 and 314 points, respectively, while Max Verstappen follows with 273.

With six races left, the Dutchman would need to gain around ten points per race on the Australian to stay in contention — a tall order, to say the least.

Behind them, things are more settled: George Russell sits fourth, 99 points adrift of the championship leader.

F1 Austin Weekend Schedule

Below are the session times for the October 17–19 weekend, based on Central European Summer Time (CEST).
All Formula 1 sessions, including the Sprint Race, will take place at the iconic American venue:

📅 Friday, October 17

• Free Practice 1: 19:30 – 20:30
• Sprint Qualifying: 23:30 – 00:14

📅 Saturday, October 18

• Sprint Race: 19:00 – 19:30
• Qualifying: 23:00 – 00:00

📅 Sunday, October 19

• F1 Austin Race: 21:00