After a long break of almost a month, Formula 1 is ready to return to the track for the final six races of the season, starting with the United States GP in Austin, Texas. This race will also mark the return of the Sprint Race, promising a weekend full of action and challenges. With the standings still open in both the drivers' and constructors' championships, the Austin round could prove crucial for many teams and drivers, starting with Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Let's see the schedules for the United States GP weekend, in Austin.
The return of F1 and the fight for the title
The battle for the 2024 world title is as lively as ever. Max Verstappen still leads the drivers' standings with a 52-point advantage over Lando Norris, but the McLaren driver has shown in recent races that he is in exceptional form, winning in Singapore to rekindle his title hopes. McLaren, meanwhile, has leapfrogged Red Bull in the constructors' championship, moving into a 41-point lead thanks to recent performances from Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen, despite his lead in the standings, cannot afford to make mistakes: the Dutch driver has not won in eight races and in Austin he will have to rely on the updates that Red Bull will bring to recover the ground lost in the last stages. In particular, it will be essential to understand whether Red Bull will be able to solve the balance problems that have compromised the car's performance in recent races.
Lawson's Return and the Racing Bulls Situation
Austin will also see the return of Liam Lawson to the Racing Bulls, replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo. Lawson, who has impressed in his previous appearances, will have the chance to prove his worth again alongside Yuki Tsunoda. With six races remaining, the young New Zealander will look to capitalise on this opportunity to earn a permanent seat in F1 for 2025.
Austin Weekend: Times and Schedule of the United States GP
With just six races remaining, all eyes are on the title fight. While Verstappen is aiming for his fourth world title, McLaren and Norris see a chance to overthrow Red Bull's dominance. Ferrari and Mercedes are also in the fight for the constructors' title, with the Reds hoping to capitalise on the upgrades they've brought in over the past few races.
The United States Grand Prix will also feature the return of the Sprint Race, which will change the format of the weekend. Here is the full schedule for the weekend:
• Friday 14th October
19:30 Free Practice 1 (live on Sky Sport F1 and NOW)
23pm Sprint Qualifying (live on Sky Sport F30 and NOW, repeated on TV1 on Saturday)
• Saturday October 19
20:00 Sprint Race (24 laps, live on Sky Sport F1, NOW and TV8)
00:00 Official F1 Qualifying (live on Sky Sport F1 and NOW, replay on TV8 before the Grand Prix)
• Sunday October 20
21:00 F1 Race (live on Sky Sport F1 and NOW, delayed on TV8 at 22:30)
This final stage of the season promises to be an exciting one, with plenty of on-track battles yet to be decided. The first stop on this tour de force will be in Austin, but it won't be the only one, as two more races will follow in North and South America, with a second Sprint weekend in Brazil. Will Verstappen be able to regain control of the situation or will Norris and McLaren continue their climb? You'll just have to watch the action on track to find out.
