US Grand Prix: Verstappen's 2025 Austin double and what Antonelli needs on 25 October
A look back at last year's race at COTA before the round where Antonelli could clinch the 2026 title.
Max Verstappen owned the 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend. He won the sprint ahead of George Russell and Carlos Sainz, then won the Grand Prix by 7.959 seconds from Lando Norris, with Charles Leclerc third, according to Silverstone's race report.
Norris had retired from the sprint after contact with his team-mate, then fought Leclerc for second in the race, retaking the place with a move into Turn 12 late on. Lewis Hamilton was fourth and Oscar Piastri fifth.
It was a weekend to forget for Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes rookie scored one point in the sprint in eighth and finished 13th in the Grand Prix after a spin. Russell was second in the sprint and sixth on Sunday.
A year on, Antonelli arrives at Circuit of the Americas 102 points clear and could become champion. He needs to leave Austin with a lead of at least 126 points. The 2026 weekend has no sprint, and the 56-lap race starts at 3pm local time on Sunday 25 October, Grande Prêmio reports, which is midnight in the UAE.
If the title is not settled in Texas, the fight continues through Mexico City, São Paulo, Las Vegas and Qatar to the finale at Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday 6 December.
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026Race day Sun 6 Dec · Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi See ticketsSource: Silverstone, Grande Prêmio, GrandPrix247
