Formula 1 kicks off the first of the season’s two final triple-headers this weekend in Austin. Following the sprint weekend in Singapore two weeks ago, a ‘normal’ race weekend is now back on the schedule – the classic format with the Grand Prix on Sunday, qualifying on Saturday and three free practice sessions. Due to the seven-hour time difference between Central Europe and Texas, the sessions will take place in the evening here.
Formula 1 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin
The event at the ‘Circuit of the Americas’ is one of three US races this season (alongside Miami and Las Vegas), but is specifically known as the United States Grand Prix. The ‘COTA’ is 5.513 kilometres long and features a mix of fast corners, rapid changes of direction and slower sections that demand strong traction.
Tyre manufacturer Pirelli predicts: ‘To be competitive, the teams must combine good speed on the straights with efficient aerodynamics in the more technically demanding sections – an aspect that is becoming even more important with the current generation of Formula 1 cars. From a tyre perspective, the circuit places demands on both axles. In the first sector, which is characterised by fast corners and changes of direction reminiscent of some of Europe’s major circuits, the front tyres are subjected to particularly heavy wear. In the third sector, by contrast, the numerous acceleration zones coming out of slow corners tend to cause thermal wear, particularly on the rear tyres.”
In recent years, the many bumps have often caused problems. However, a section between corners 9 and 11 was resurfaced earlier this year. Pirelli explains, however: “The ageing effect on the rest of the track remains significant, however, and contributes to high wear. Tyre wear – rather than graining – could therefore prove to be one of the decisive factors of the race weekend. In last year’s race, several tyres showed very high wear rates. Grip on the track is generally good.” This is because many other classes and series race in Austin. The track’s behaviour over the course of the weekend is therefore not really an issue.
Where can you watch the US Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on TV?
In Germany, Sky is broadcasting all sessions, whilst RTL is also showing qualifying. In Austria, ServusTV is covering all practice sessions, as well as qualifying and the Grand Prix. ORF is providing analysis. In Switzerland, SRF info is showing qualifying, whilst SRF zwei is showing the race.
US Grand Prix on TV:
Friday, 23 October
10.00 Sky Sport F1 – 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix
12.00 Sky Sport F1 – 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, Sprint
14.00 Sky Sport F1 – 2025 United States Grand Prix
4.00 pm Sky Sport F1 – GP Confidential
18.00 Sky Sport F1 – 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, Sprint
19.00 Sky Sport F1 – Warm-up – The Motorsport Special
19.15 Sky Sport F1 – Start of coverage: 1st Free Practice
19.30 Start of 1st Free Practice
21.00 Sky Sport F1 – Top 20: Pit Stop Chaos
21.15 Sky Sport F1 – Top 20: Vettel’s overtaking manoeuvres
21.30 Sky Sport F1 – Team Principals’ press conference
10.15 pm ServusTV – Start of coverage of the first free practice session
10.30 pm Sky Sport F1 – Top 20: Spectacular crashes
10.45 pm ServusTV – Start of coverage of the second free practice session
22.45 Sky Sport F1 – Start of coverage of the second free practice session
23.00 Start of second free practice
00.30 Sky Sport F1 – 2025: Rookie Review
Saturday, 24 October
11.00 Sky Sport F1 – 2025 United States Grand Prix
13.00 Sky Sport F1 – Replay of the first free practice session
14.30 Sky Sport F1 – Replay of Free Practice 2
16.00 Sky Sport F1 – 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, Sprint
19.15 Sky Sport F1 – Start of coverage of the third free practice session
19.30 Start of Free Practice 3
21.00 Sky Sport F1 – Formula 1: Feature
21.45 Sky Sport F1 – Iconic Onboards: Lando Norris
21.50 ServusTV – Start of coverage of 3rd Free Practice
10.30 pm Sky Sport F1 – Start of qualifying coverage
10.35 pm RTL – Start of qualifying coverage
22.50 ServusTV – Qualifying preview
10.55 pm SRF info – Start of qualifying coverage
23.00 ServusTV – Start of qualifying coverage
23.00 Qualifying begins
00.00 ServusTV – Qualifying analysis
00.30 Sky Sport F1 – Qualifying press conference
Sunday, 25 October
11.00 Sky Sport F1 – Qualifying highlights
12.30 Sky Sport F1 – Formula 1: Feature
13.15 Sky Sport F1 – Chasing the Dream
1.30 pm Sky Sport F1 – Qualifying Replay
16.30 Sky Sport F1 – Qualifying replay
18.40 Sky Sport F1 – Iconic Onboards: Kimi Räikkönen
19.00 Sky Sport F1 – Drivers’ parade
19.30 ServusTV – Race preview
19.30 Sky Sport F1 – Pre-race coverage
20.20 SRF zwei – Grand Prix coverage begins
20.55 Sky Sport F1 – Grand Prix broadcast begins
21.00 ServusTV – Grand Prix broadcast begins
21.00 Start of the United States Grand Prix (follow it here on our live ticker, 56 laps)
10.40 pm ServusTV – Race analysis
22.45 Sky Sport F1 – Analysis & interviews
23.30 Sky Sport F1 – Post-race press conference
23.50 ORF 1 – The analysis
00.00 Sky Sport F1 – Ted’s Notebook
00.30 Sky Sport F1 – Race Replay