F1 United States Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying results and reaction from Austin
F1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend for the US Grand Prix – and the fifth sprint weekend of the season.
Max Verstappen sealed the 2023 world title last time out in Qatar and also claimed his 14th grand prix victory of the season. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was driver of the weekend, however, winning the sprint race and coming second in the grand prix on Sunday.
Lewis Hamilton had a weekend to forget, crashing into Mercedes team-mate George Russell, while the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were among the chasing pack. Lando Norris finished third to secure a double podium for McLaren.
Verstappen won a thrilling race at COTA last year, edging out Lewis Hamilton who has still not won a race since the 2021 season. Hamilton is, however, a five-time winner at the circuit.
Follow live updates from the United States Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX - QUALIFYING
Charles Leclerc qualified on pole; Norris 2nd; Hamilton 3rd
Max Verstappen fumes with Red Bull team towards end of US qualifying
Daniel Ricciardo out in Q2, also out: Tsunoda, Zhou, Bottas, Magnussen
Fernando Alonso out in Q1 for first time this season, also out: Hulkenberg, Albon, Stroll, Sargeant
Max Verstappen was fastest in first practice; Leclerc 2nd; Hamilton 3rd
PREVIEW: Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid
‘Let’s not get too soft’: Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme
George Russell perplexed after ‘strange’ day at US Grand Prix qualifying
00:51 , Kieran Jackson
George Russell admits he was “off the pace” during Friday’s action at the United States Grand Prix.
Russell was fifth-fastest during qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix, while his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamiltonwas third-quickest at the Circuit of the Americas.
Yet after a difficult first practice session too, Russell seemed somewhat confused as to why he struggled but stated given his shortcomings, he was satisfied with his fifth-place starting spot for Sunday.
“For me, it’s been a challenging day,” Russell said after qualifying.
Full quotes below:
George Russell perplexed after ‘strange’ day at US GP qualifying
Charles Leclerc grabs pole position as Max Verstappen rages in Austin
00:29 , Kieran Jackson
Qualifying report
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took pole position for the United States Grand Prix after Max Verstappen’s lap was deleted for exceeding track limits.
Verstappen looked to have qualified first in his Red Bull at a sizzling Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, only to see his lap – five-thousandths of a second quicker than Leclerc – chalked off by the stewards.
Verstappen dropped from first to sixth with Lando Norris taking second for McLaren ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz finished fourth with George Russell fifth for Mercedes.
Full report below:
Charles Leclerc grabs pole position as Max Verstappen rages in Austin
Max Verstappen fumes with Red Bull team towards end of US qualifying
00:15 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen was livid with his Red Bull pit wall on Friday - after the end of one of his final qualifying laps was impacted by team-mate Sergio Perez.
The 2023 world champion was entering the final turn at the Circuit of the Americas in his first flying run in Q3, but lost control of his Red Bull with Perez ahead of him.
The dirty air of Perez’s car seemingly had an impact, meaning he was only third-fastest at the time behind Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Full quotes below:
Max Verstappen fumes with Red Bull team towards end of US Grand Prix qualifying
George Russell after qualifying fifth:
00:02 , Kieran Jackson
“For me it’s been a challenging day. Been off the pace, don’t know why. Strange day for me so I’m actually pleased with P5. There were times that it didn’t look like we’d make Q3.
“I’ll take it on my shoulders, I’ve been off the pace today and don’t know why. P5 is a great place to start on Sunday and we could have been much further down the order, so I’m satisfied with that position.”
Sergio Perez after qualifying P9:
23:49 , Kieran Jackson
“We are on the wrong side of it... we’ll see what we’re able to do come tomorrow. We’re expecting the wind to change a bit too...
TOP-10 FOR THE US GRAND PRIX:
23:40 , Kieran Jackson
1) Charles Leclerc
2) Lando Norris
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Carlos Sainz
5) George Russell
6) Max Verstappen
7) Pierre Gasly
8) Esteban Ocon
9) Sergio Perez
10) Oscar Piastri
Lewis Hamilton after qualifying third on the grid:
23:33 , Kieran Jackson
“I love being in the States and this weather we’ve got, such a beautiful country. This circuit is incredible, this is right up there with Silverstone! Every driver finds it really tricky.
“We’ve taken a bit of a step closer to those guys, still got a bit to go.”
Lando Norris after qualifying second:
23:21 , Kieran Jackson
“I’m happy, it’s been a good day. Probably not expected, a good bonus from the whole team. Didn’t make as many mistakes as last week! Bit of a shame that one opportunity maybe missed again but happy nevertheless!
“We’re in a good position, Charles is usually a good starter. We’re in almost the best position!”
"Didn't make as many mistakes as I made last week... " 😅
Lando's reaction to quali in Austin! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/w1DKwGrUmk— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 20, 2023
Charles Leclerc after qualifying on pole:
23:12 , Kieran Jackson
“We had a strong basis. I was feeling good, the last lap in Q3 was a few mistakes but really happy we’re starting on pole for Sunday.”
“I love the vibe at this track and in the city!”
"I'm really happy, I love this track!" 😍
Charles Leclerc reacts to his pole in Austin! 👇 pic.twitter.com/8sSjKOHzqn— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 20, 2023
Charles Leclerc is on pole position at the US Grand Prix!
23:03 , Kieran Jackson
Charles Leclerc has done it - and he goes even faster! A 1:34:723 puts him on pole!
Lando Norris in second, with Lewis Hamilton third.
Carlos Sainz fourth, Max Verstappen only sixth!
Verstappen went to the top of the leaderboard but had his lap time deleted - and it was clearly going beyond the white line at turn 19!
5-10: Russell, Verstappen, Gasly, Ocon, Perez, Piastri
Who will be on pole position?
22:59 , Kieran Jackson
All 10 cars now out on track with two minutes to go... can anyone topple Charles Leclerc in P1?
Max Verstappen fumes at team-mate!
22:58 , Kieran Jackson
Verstappen believes the final turn of his first lap was impacted by Sergio Perez ahead of him... and he’s NOT happy about it!
Max Verstappen is NOT happy... 😡🎙️ pic.twitter.com/3FwtmYGFmr
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 20, 2023
Lewis Hamilton goes P2!
22:55 , Kieran Jackson
Cracking lap from the seven-time world champion... but he’s 0.056 secs short of Charles Leclerc in provisional pole!
George Russell had his lap time deleted for exceeding track limits... he’s down in 10th!
Top-10 after first runs: Leclerc, Hamilton, Verstappen, Sainz, Gasly, Perez, Norris, Piastri, Ocon, Russell
Charles Leclerc on provisional pole early on!
22:53 , Kieran Jackson
The Ferrari man sets the early time to beat with a 1:34:289, two-tenths up on Max Verstappen!
Carlos Sainz slots in at third, with Lando Norris fourth. The Mercedes boys are on their flying laps now...
Q3 underway!
22:51 , Kieran Jackson
12 minutes... who will be on pole position?
10 drivers involved, five teams: Leclerc, Sainz, Verstappen, Perez, Hamilton, Russell, Norris, Piastri, Ocon, Gasly
Sergio Perez squeezes through!
22:43 , Kieran Jackson
In P10! A sigh of relief from the Mexican!
Bottom-five and out in Q2 (11-15): Tsunoda, Zhou, Bottas, Magnussen, Ricciardo
George Russell also a bit tight in ninth.
But it’s, generally, gone to form there.
Lando Norris bottom right now!
22:35 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen top with a 1:35:491, with Oscar Piastri in second with a 0.085 sec deficit. The Alpines of Ocon and Gasly are third and fourth.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Ricciardo, Magnussen, Zhou, Sainz, Norris
“We should flag that,” as Sainz looks to be impeded by Tsunoda. Norris also complaining that traffic forced him off. Work to do then for those two.
6:00 to go...
Q2 underway at COTA!
22:27 , Kieran Jackson
Who will make the top-10 shootout in qualifying?
15 minutes where we will again lose the slowest five drivers. Could we have another shock elimination here?
Fernando Alonso is out of qualifying!
22:21 , Kieran Jackson
Nightmare for Aston Martin in qualifying - both their cars are OUT!
Nico Hulkenberg, who was P1, is also out! P16, after having a lap deleted for track limits.
Out in Q1 (16-20): Hulkenberg, Alonso, Albon, Stroll, Sargeant
George Russell and Daniel Ricciardo sneak through...
Top-3: Hamilton, Norris, Verstappen
Alex Albon now in the bottom-five!
22:15 , Kieran Jackson
Most cars now in the pits as the drivers prepare for their final flying runs, with everyone set to go again.
Top-3: Sainz, Leclerc, Gasly
Current bottom-five (16-20): Albon, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Zhou, Sargeant
Fernando Alonso quite precarious in P14. Lewis Hamilton only P11..
Nico Hulkenberg goes P1!
22:11 , Kieran Jackson
Wow! An upgraded Haas this weekend and the German shoots to the top of the leaderboard, two-tenths quicker than Max Verstappen!
7:00 to go, will times tumble?
Max Verstappen quickest halfway through!
22:10 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen fastest early doors with a 1:36:470, with Charles Leclerc a tenth down in second and George Russell third.
Lewis Hamilton down in P6...
Nine minutes left, still a number of drivers yet to set times.
Q1 at the United States Grand Prix!
22:00 , Kieran Jackson
We’re underway with the first qualifying session on a stunningly sunny day in Austin, Texas!
A reminder: this is the qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix. It has nothing to do with sprint day tomorrow.
18 minutes where we will lose the slowest five drivers... let’s go!
Home hero Logan Sargeant the first out of the pits..
F1 qualifying at the US Grand Prix!
21:55 , Kieran Jackson
We’re just five minutes away from the all-important qualifying session for Sunday’s grand prix at the Circuit of the Americas!
Can anyone stop Max Verstappen? The Dutchman is targeting his 50th grand prix victory on Sunday.
Mercedes and Ferrari looked quick in practice...
Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid
21:49 , Kieran Jackson
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
For a man handed a lifeline in Formula One – with an illustrious Red Bull-shaped reward beckoning down the line – it has not quite been the statement return Daniel Ricciardo envisaged back in July. What did that look like? Top-10 finishes with AlphaTauri, perhaps with a memorable overtake or two evoking the Ricciardo of old back onto the grid. But it has in fact been the complete opposite: the only return has been his return to inactivity.
Two races in and a hand injury sustained in practice in Zandvoort, north Holland, back in August has seen the affable Australian feature only on the sidelines again. A seesaw seven weeks have followed: while on one hand confirmation of a seat on the grid in 2024 was, rather peculiarly, confirmed in his absence in Japan, his deputy Liam Lawson caught the eye with a string of impressive performances, including a team-best result of ninth in Singapore.
So as Ricciardo struts back into the paddock this weekend in Austin, the broken bone in his hand healed, the pressure is firmly on the 34-year-old’s shoulders at his home from home. Affection works hand in hand with Ricciardo and the United States: he loves America, Americans love him.
Full piece below:
Daniel Ricciardo’s back from injury. Now he must show F1 he still belongs
Can it help Mercedes straight away here in Austin?
21:37 , Kieran Jackson
Ted explains Mercedes' upgrades ahead of the US Grand Prix 🇺🇸🔧 pic.twitter.com/5TQn1pbh4H
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 20, 2023
Lewis Hamilton set to rival Max Verstappen for pole in Austin
21:29 , Kieran Jackson
FP1 report
Lewis Hamilton raised the prospect of challenging Max Verstappen for pole position at the United States Grand Prix after he finished third in practice.
Hamilton trailed Verstappen by 0.281 seconds in the sole running before qualifying later on Friday with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc splitting the rivals.
But the seven-time world champion, in his upgraded Mercedes, clocked the fastest first and second sectors before hitting traffic in the final part of his speediest lap at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
Verstappen claimed his third world title in as many years at the previous round in Qatar.
Lewis Hamilton set to rival Max Verstappen for pole in Austin
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
21:18 , Kieran Jackson
The fifth Formula 1 sprint event in 2023 takes place this weekend at the United States Grand Prix
Full detail below:
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
Lewis Hamilton wants Formula One to remain ‘extreme’ amid Qatar complaints
21:10 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton said Formula One must not become “too soft” and challenged his fellow drivers to embrace pain amid a safety backlash following the last round in Qatar.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell branded the race a fortnight ago “beyond the limit of what is acceptable” as temperatures in the drivers’ cockpits exceeded 50 degrees.
Canadian Lance Stroll said he faded in and out of consciousness because of the extreme heat and humidity in Lusail.
Full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton wants Formula One to remain ‘extreme’ amid Qatar complaints
What is the race schedule?
20:59 , Kieran Jackson
(All times BST)
Friday 20 October
Qualifying: 10pm
Saturday 21 October
Sprint shootout: 6:30pm
Sprint race: 11pm
Sunday 22 October
Race: 8pm
Ton up for Lando Norris!
20:37 , Kieran Jackson
"I am proud, not many people in the world get to achieve such a thing!" 😅
It'll be Lando Norris' 100th race in F1 this weekend 🏎️ 🎉 pic.twitter.com/MTopgM7xuf— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 19, 2023
F1 drivers react as sport governing body increases size of fines
20:28 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton and his fellow Formula One drivers could be fined up to one million euros following a dramatic change to the sport’s rulebook.
Ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, F1’s governing body announced it has increased the maximum sanction that stewards can impose on a driver from 250,000 euros (£218,000) to 871,500 euros (£760,000).
The FIA said the amount had been static for the last 12 years and “does not reflect the current needs of motor sports”.
But the decision was met with surprise by the grid’s drivers. Daniel Ricciardo, back in action after missing five races with a broken hand, calling it “scary”, and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen branding the move “ridiculous”.
Full quotes below:
F1 drivers react as sport governing body increases size of fines
A classic Yuki burst of anger in practice...
20:13 , Kieran Jackson
Yuki 🎙️: "Bro! What the ****** man?" pic.twitter.com/s0B17BF26s
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 20, 2023
Lewis Hamilton set to rival Max Verstappen for pole in Austin
19:59 , Kieran Jackson
FP1 report
Lewis Hamilton raised the prospect of challenging Max Verstappen for pole position at the United States Grand Prix after he finished third in practice.
Hamilton trailed Verstappen by 0.281 seconds in the sole running before qualifying later on Friday with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc splitting the rivals.
But the seven-time world champion, in his upgraded Mercedes, clocked the fastest first and second sectors before hitting traffic in the final part of his speediest lap at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
Verstappen claimed his third world title in as many years at the previous round in Qatar.
Lewis Hamilton set to rival Max Verstappen for pole in Austin
FP1 RESULTS:
19:47 , Kieran Jackson
FP1 CLASSIFICATION
Max Verstappen sets the pace in our only practice session of the weekend 👀#USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/d4KHbFpfyY— Formula 1 (@F1) October 20, 2023
Max Verstappen quickest in FP1!
19:32 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton went fastest in the first and second sectors... but then it all went missing! Only third-fastest in the end, 0.281 secs off Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman once again the quickest, but it’s relatively close! Charles Leclerc is second, a tenth back, with Sergio Perez in fourth and Kevin Magnussen fifth.
6-10: Russell, Albon, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Gasly
McLaren struggling a fair bit about there... Norris and Piastri only 15th and 19th respectively.
Max Verstappen back on top
19:27 , Kieran Jackson
As we go through the qualifying simulations on soft tyres, Max Verstappen is 0.156 secs clear of second place with a 1:35:912.
Charles Leclerc is in second for Ferrari, with Sergio Perez in third. But it could change in the final five minutes... Lewis Hamilton on a flier...
Oscar Piastri almost in the wall!
19:10 , Kieran Jackson
What a save from the Aussie!
Piastri loses control of the car in sector one and it looks set to spin into the wall... but he saves it and only turfs up a load of dirt off track!
Relief in the McLaren garage!
Oscar Piastri goes drifting in Austin 😅 pic.twitter.com/6sdG9vQKvG
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 20, 2023
Lewis Hamilton fastest at halfway!
19:06 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton now top of the timesheets, at a circuit he’s won at five times! It’s a 1:37:394 on hard tyres, with Max Verstappen a tenth down.
Lando Norris is in third, two-tenths back, with Yuki Tsunoda and Kevin Magnussen in fourth and fifth.
6-10: Leclerc, Perez, Ricciardo, Zhou, Piastri
George Russell, suspiciously, down in P17. And both Aston Martins in the garage with brake issues, so in the bottom-two. Problems for Aston...
Red Bull boss Christian Horner:
18:56 , Kieran Jackson
“These are all cup finals for us. We’ve never achieved first and second so that’s an objective but really it’s about attacking every one of these five events.
“Checo is doing OK. He’s had a rough ride the last couple of races, he’s done a lot of work in the sim - three straight days. He’s prepped really hard for this event. He just needs a solid weekend, hopefully he can have that here.”
Max Verstappen fastest early on!
18:47 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen quickest with a 1:37:498 in the first 15 minutes, with Lewis Hamilton less than a tenth down in second place.
In third is Yuki Tsunoda, six-tenths behind first place, with Lando Norris in fourth and Kevin Magnussen in fifth!
Close shave between Sainz and Norris!
18:42 , Kieran Jackson
“Oh my god... we nearly crashed!” Carlos Sainz almost collided with Lando Norris in the twists of sector one!
A close shave for CarLando!
FP1 at the US Grand Prix!
18:32 , Kieran Jackson
It’s time for the one and only practice session in Austin, Texas!
32C at the Circuit of the Americas and not a cloud in the sky! George Russell leads the queue of cars in the pit lane out around this 5.5km track, with 20 turns and a real mixture of long straights and twisty corners!
And the clock counts down from 60 minutes...
What is the race schedule?
18:26 , Kieran Jackson
(All times BST)
Friday 20 October
Free practice 1: 6:30pm
Qualifying: 10pm
Saturday 21 October
Sprint shootout: 6:30pm
Sprint race: 11pm
Sunday 22 October
Race: 8pm
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
18:22 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 433 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 224 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 194 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 153 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 145 points
7) Lando Norris - 136 points
8) George Russell - 132 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points
13) Alex Albon - 23 points
14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
Max Verstappen still fully focused despite world title wrap-up:
18:17 , Kieran Jackson
"Nothing to crazy yet" 😅
Has Max Verstappen had a big celebration yet for winning the World Championship? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/nL33zoAxFd— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 19, 2023
Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid
18:14 , Kieran Jackson
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
For a man handed a lifeline in Formula One – with an illustrious Red Bull-shaped reward beckoning down the line – it has not quite been the statement return Daniel Ricciardo envisaged back in July. What did that look like? Top-10 finishes with AlphaTauri, perhaps with a memorable overtake or two evoking the Ricciardo of old back onto the grid. But it has in fact been the complete opposite: the only return has been his return to inactivity.
Two races in and a hand injury sustained in practice in Zandvoort, north Holland, back in August has seen the affable Australian feature only on the sidelines again. A seesaw seven weeks have followed: while on one hand confirmation of a seat on the grid in 2024 was, rather peculiarly, confirmed in his absence in Japan, his deputy Liam Lawson caught the eye with a string of impressive performances, including a team-best result of ninth in Singapore.
So as Ricciardo struts back into the paddock this weekend in Austin, the broken bone in his hand healed, the pressure is firmly on the 34-year-old’s shoulders at his home from home. Affection works hand in hand with Ricciardo and the United States: he loves America, Americans love him.
Full piece below:
Daniel Ricciardo’s back from injury. Now he must show F1 he still belongs
‘Let’s not get too soft’: Hamilton insists F1 must remain extreme
18:04 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton said Formula One must not become “too soft” and challenged his fellow drivers to embrace pain amid a safety backlash following the last round in Qatar.
Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell branded the race a fortnight ago “beyond the limit of what is acceptable” as temperatures in the drivers’ cockpits exceeded 50 degrees.
Canadian Lance Stroll said he faded in and out of consciousness because of the extreme heat and humidity in Lusail.
Lewis Hamilton wants Formula One to remain ‘extreme’ amid Qatar complaints
Daniel Ricciardo is back after five races out!
17:57 , Kieran Jackson
Here are the constructors’ standings ahead of this weekend:
17:42 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 657 points (champion)
2) Mercedes - 326 points
3) Ferrari - 298 points
4) Aston Martin - 230 points
5) McLaren - 219 points
6) Alpine - 90 points
7) Williams - 23 points
8) Alfa Romeo - 16 points
9) Haas - 12 points
10) AlphaTauri - 5 points
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
17:29 , Kieran Jackson
The fifth Formula 1 sprint event in 2023 takes place this weekend at the United States Grand Prix
Full detail below:
What is a sprint race in F1 and how does new qualifying shootout work?
F1 drivers react as sport governing body increases size of fines
17:14 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton and his fellow Formula One drivers could be fined up to one million euros following a dramatic change to the sport’s rulebook.
Ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, F1’s governing body announced it has increased the maximum sanction that stewards can impose on a driver from 250,000 euros (£218,000) to 871,500 euros (£760,000).
The FIA said the amount had been static for the last 12 years and “does not reflect the current needs of motor sports”.
But the decision was met with surprise by the grid’s drivers. Daniel Ricciardo, back in action after missing five races with a broken hand, calling it “scary”, and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen branding the move “ridiculous”.
Full quotes below:
F1 drivers react as sport governing body increases size of fines
Driver Standings ahead of this weekend:
17:06 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 433 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 224 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 194 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 153 points
6) Charles Leclerc - 145 points
7) Lando Norris - 136 points
8) George Russell - 132 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points
10) Lance Stroll - 47 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 46 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points
13) Alex Albon - 23 points
14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
16) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
Daniel Ricciardo must prove he still belongs on the F1 grid
17:02 , Kieran Jackson
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
For a man handed a lifeline in Formula One – with an illustrious Red Bull-shaped reward beckoning down the line – it has not quite been the statement return Daniel Ricciardo envisaged back in July. What did that look like? Top-10 finishes with AlphaTauri, perhaps with a memorable overtake or two evoking the Ricciardo of old back onto the grid. But it has in fact been the complete opposite: the only return has been his return to inactivity.
Two races in and a hand injury sustained in practice in Zandvoort, north Holland, back in August has seen the affable Australian feature only on the sidelines again. A seesaw seven weeks have followed: while on one hand confirmation of a seat on the grid in 2024 was, rather peculiarly, confirmed in his absence in Japan, his deputy Liam Lawson caught the eye with a string of impressive performances, including a team-best result of ninth in Singapore.
So as Ricciardo struts back into the paddock this weekend in Austin, the broken bone in his hand healed, the pressure is firmly on the 34-year-old’s shoulders at his home from home. Affection works hand in hand with Ricciardo and the United States: he loves America, Americans love him.
Full piece below:
Daniel Ricciardo’s back from injury. Now he must show F1 he still belongs
What is the race schedule?
16:59 , Kieran Jackson
(All times BST)
Friday 20 October
Free practice 1: 6:30pm
Qualifying: 10pm
Saturday 21 October
Sprint shootout: 6:30pm
Sprint race: 11pm
Sunday 22 October
Race: 8pm
F1 United States Grand Prix qualifying LIVE!
16:59 , Kieran Jackson
Good evening - it’s triple header time!
F1 swings back stateside for the second of three races in the US this year! And we’re back to the 5.5km Circuit of the Americas for the US Grand Prix and the penultimate sprint weekend of the season!
Max Verstappen stole victory right at the death from Lewis Hamilton last year and the race at COTA usually brings plenty of excitement... what will we be in for this weekend?
It’s practice first up at 6:30pm (BST) before qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix at 10pm (BST) - stay right here for all the updates!
