The 19th race of the Formula 1 season gets underway this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas in the USA. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the US Grand Prix.
US Grand Prix: Everything You Need To Know
What time is the US Grand Prix?
It will be an evening start for viewers in Ireland with the race starting at 8:00pm on Sunday.
| Day | Time | Session |
| Friday October 21st | 20:00 - 21:00 | Practice 1 |
| Friday October 21st | 23:00 - 00:30 | Practice 2 |
| Saturday October 22nd | 20:00 - 21:00 | Practice 3 |
| Saturday October 22nd | 23:00 - 00:00 | Qualifying |
| Sunday October 23rd | 20:00 - 22:00 | United States Grand Prix |
How to watch the US Grand Prix?
The race will be broadcast on Sky Sports F1 with coverage beginning at 6:30pm.
Max Verstappen World Champion
The race will be the Dutchman's first since being crowned champion in confusing circumstances at the Japanese Grand Prix. The 25-year-old has defended his crown superbly this season, winning 12 races so far. This championship win was far more comfortable than his first. In 2021, he won it on the last lap on the last race against Lewis Hamilton. This year however, he blew his all his competitors away making the title a formality. He'll be hoping to add more titles to his collection and in more suitable fashion.
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MAX VERSTAPPEN
TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION!!!#2TheMax #F1 pic.twitter.com/eOlI6B6un1— Formula 1 (@F1) October 9, 2022
Form Guide ahead of the US Grand Prix
Max Verstappen - Red Bull
Verstappen wrapped the title up in suitable fashion in Japan. After a rain delayed start, the championship leader was 1st ahead of his closest challenger Charles Leclerc. However, he sped away from his rival opening up a 20 second gap, reflective of the similar gap in the leaderboard. He then crossed the line not knowing he was crowned champion due to confusion over the rules. The two time World Championship will hope to get his second reign off to a winning start in Austin - a win which would equal the record for most wins in a single season.
Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
Second on the leaderboard, Leclerc's faint hopes of delaying Verstappen title ended in Japan. He was quickly left behind by his rival and had to fight for second with Sergio Perez. In what was an entertaining battle between the two, the Monaco native made a mistake at the last turn, going over the chicane and later being given a 5 second penalty. Ferrari's main driver will be eager to show he can challenge for next year's championship with a win in the Lone Star State.
Sergio Perez was NOT happy with Charles Leclerc on the last chicane of the race! 😮 pic.twitter.com/CDFwMs28DM
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 9, 2022
Sergio Perez - Red Bull
The Mexican battled with Charles Leclerc spectacularly to get a Red Bull 1-2 in Japan. He has continued his good form from the Singapore Grand Prix, which he won. Considering the Mexican Grand Prix is after this weekend's race, he'll be hoping to have a decent result coming in to his home race.
George Russell - Mercedes
One of the most consistent drivers this season, has been the opposite of late. The 24-year-old backed up his horrible Singapore Grand Prix, with an 8th placed finish in Japan. Mercedes's strategy of putting on intermediate 3 laps into the race's resumption when everyone else changed earlier backfired. Russell dropped to 14th before battling back into the points. He'll be eager to prove that it is just a blip with a top 5 finish across the pond.
Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes
Time is running out for the 7 time world champion to get his first win of the season. The 37 year old has won a race in every season of his career until now. He suffered from Mercedes's strategy in Japan, battling with Esteban Ocon but was unable to pass him, finishing 5th. He'll be hoping with better strategy calls to get a podium finish in the US.
Carlos Sainz - Ferrari
The Spaniard had a horrible Japanese Grand Prix. He spun out on the wet circuit in the first few laps, crashing into the sideboards. He finished 3rd and 4th in the previous races at Singapore and Italy, so will be hoping to continue his good run when he doesn't have a DNF.
Carlos Sainz's on-board as his race came to an early end 😩 pic.twitter.com/0d9WKwZX8L
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 9, 2022
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