F1 2025 United States Grand Prix: Full Starting Grid and Race Details After Penalties Applied
The highly anticipated 2025 United States Grand Prix takes centre stage today (Sunday, October 19), as the Formula 1 championship battle reaches another crucial point in Austin, Texas. The Circuit of the Americas is once again set to deliver drama, with three key contenders — Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen — all in the hunt for the world title as the season nears its final stretch.
For much of the year, the McLaren duo of Piastri and Norris appeared to have the championship locked in as a two-way fight. However, reigning world champion Max Verstappen has reignited his campaign with a remarkable resurgence since the summer break. With two wins in the last three races, the Dutchman has dramatically closed the points gap, ensuring that the title fight remains wide open heading into Austin.
Verstappen underlined his form once again during qualifying, producing a stunning lap to take his seventh pole position of the season. The Red Bull driver is chasing what would be his third victory in four Grands Prix, after winning in Singapore and Qatar. His pace throughout the weekend has been impressive, and he will start today’s race as the strong favourite from P1 on the grid.
Joining Verstappen on the front row is Lando Norris, who bounced back from a disastrous sprint race on Saturday to qualify second. Norris has not stood on the top step of the podium since early summer, and with McLaren struggling to maintain their early-season dominance, today’s race could be pivotal for both his championship hopes and the team’s constructors’ standings.
Championship leader Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, faces an uphill task. The Australian was unable to match his teammate’s speed in qualifying and will start only sixth after a difficult Saturday. His confidence took a hit following a heavy crash in the sprint race that saw both McLarens retire on the opening lap. While Piastri still holds a narrow lead in the drivers’ standings, Verstappen’s relentless pursuit and Norris’s determination mean the pressure is mounting.
Behind the front-runners, Ferrari and Mercedes have both shown flashes of competitiveness. Charles Leclerc starts third, delivering another solid qualifying performance in his Ferrari, while George Russell lines up fourth for Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton, now in his second season with Ferrari, will start fifth, looking to make up ground quickly and potentially challenge for the podium if strategy and tire management work in his favour.
The top ten is rounded out by Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Carlos Sainz (Williams), and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin). Both Bearman and Antonelli continue to impress in their rookie campaigns, consistently holding their own against seasoned competitors.
Further down the order, Lance Stroll has been handed the only grid penalty for the race. The Aston Martin driver drops from 18th to 20th and last after receiving a five-place grid penalty for causing a collision with Esteban Ocon during Saturday’s sprint race. That incident added to what has been a frustrating weekend for the Canadian, who will now be hoping to climb through the field and salvage some points.
F1 2025 United States Grand Prix Starting Grid
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. Lando Norris (McLaren)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
8. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
9. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
12. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
13. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
17. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
18. Alex Albon (Williams)
19. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
20. Lance Stroll* (Aston Martin)
Stroll drops from P18 to P20 due to a five-place grid penalty.
Race Start Times Around the World
Lights out is scheduled for 2:00 PM local time (CDT) in Austin, corresponding to 8:00 PM BST, 9:00 PM CEST, and 3:00 PM EDT. Fans across the globe can catch the race at the following times:
United States (PDT): 12:00 PM
Australia (AEDT): 6:00 AM Monday
Japan (JST): 4:00 AM Monday
India (IST): 12:30 AM Monday
South Africa (SAST): 9:00 PM Sunday
Saudi Arabia (AST): 10:00 PM Sunday
Brazil (BRT): 4:00 PM Sunday
With Verstappen chasing victory, McLaren seeking redemption, and Ferrari showing renewed strength, the stage is perfectly set for an action-packed race at the Circuit of the Americas. Every lap could prove crucial in shaping the destiny of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.
