United States Grand Prix: Race Preview

The United States Grand Prix has had a diverse and storied history, traversing the breadth of the nation since first being run in Sebring, Florida, in 1959. It had a lengthy spell at leafy Watkins Glen in upstate New York, a short and unsuccessful stint around the streets of Phoenix, Arizona, and a stretch at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, utilizing part of its fabled oval.

A permanent home for Formula 1 was finally found in 2012, when the championship rolled into a purpose-built circuit on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, and immediately fell head over heels with the layout, the venue, and the nearby offerings. Austin, a city famed for its bars, music haunts, and quirky meeting points, became a favorite among the Formula 1 community, while the popularity of the grand prix continues to grow.

Austin’s status as a beloved venue is heightened for drivers by the layout of COTA, with distinct sections and challenges. COTA’s showpiece is Turn 1, named Big Red, which rises steeply and invites different racing lines, before the circuit plunges into a sequence of high-speed esses reminiscent of famed sections from Silverstone and Suzuka. The lengthy back straight provides the best overtaking opportunity, into Turn 12, while another iconic complex is the triple-apex right-hand Turns 16/17/18, which takes drivers past the distinctive COTA Tower.

For the third successive season the United States Grand Prix will host F1 Sprint, meaning there is just one practice session on Friday ahead of Sprint Qualifying and the Sprint Race, which is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Esteban Ocon has contested seven grands prix around the Circuit of the Americas, taking a best finish of sixth in 2017, while he also set the fastest lap of the race during its 2024 running – the first fastest lap of his career. For Oliver Bearman this year’s event will be his first experience of the United States Grand Prix.
 

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal:

“We’re very excited for the United States Grand Prix, COTA always feels like home. It’s a busy week with a lot of activities, but with the added fact that it’s a Sprint, you’re running off adrenaline the entire weekend. It was great to get back scoring points in Singapore with Ollie, and here in COTA we’re really looking to get both drivers into point scoring positions. We’re bringing a small upgrade package here, but since it’s a Sprint weekend, we will only have FP1 to evaluate it, so it’s even more crucial that we hit the ground running. We’re very much looking forward to the challenge!”

Ollie Bearman:

“It feels like we’re building momentum each weekend, we know the car is fast, and with another update coming to the VF-25 in Austin I feel like this should be a strong weekend. This will be my first US Grand Prix as a MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driver, so I know it’s going to be full on, but it’s so nice to soak in the atmosphere and passion from all the American fans. Sharing a mutual passion and love for this team and sport, COTA will be a highlight of this season for sure.”

Esteban Ocon:

“I’m excited to head back to Austin, especially as a MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driver. It is such a cool city with so much energy, and I always look forward to coming back. This is one of our home races so we know the American fans will again provide an amazing atmosphere throughout the weekend. COTA is a fun but challenging circuit which always produces some entertaining racing. After Singapore, I’ve been working hard at my training center and on the simulator with the team – aiming to have a strong weekend and maximize every opportunity that comes our way. I’m looking forward to getting back out there, show off our special livery, and hopefully give our home fans plenty to cheer for."