NEW: Carlos Sainz receives five-place grid drop
Sainz was forced to retire after hitting Kimi Antonelli early on in the race.
He was deemed to be at fault by the stewards but because he retired – and a 10-second penalty wasn’t possible – the Williams driver will receive a five-place grid drop for the next race in Mexico City.
(Getty Images)Read more
Kieran Jackson20 October 2025 00:17
READ: Inside George Russell’s new Mercedes deal – and why Brit is now poised for F1 title charge
For all the column inches and social media conjecture throughout most of this year’s Formula One season, George Russell has seldom looked rattled at the myriad of questions thrown his way. Week after week, with a smile and an eyebrow arched, the 27-year-old has repeatedly knocked back suggestions of a shock exit from Mercedes despite the 2025 season, and his original deal, just six rounds from a conclusion.
Yet there was no rush. Once Max Verstappen had committed to Red Bull for next season, officially back in July, it was simply a formality, and now both Russell and 19-year-old Italian teammate Kimi Antonelli have penned fresh terms with Mercedes.
Kieran Jackson20 October 2025 04:00
NEW: F1 extends deal with Austin to host United States Grand Prix
The race was first hosted at the Circuit of the Americas in 2012 and has since become one of the sport’s biggest events, hosting nearly half a million fans year-on-year.
Now, F1 has extended its deal with the Texas circuit – originally due to expire after next year’s race – for another eight years to 2034.
Kieran Jackson20 October 2025 03:00
Jenson Button on Piastri’s dip in form:
The pressure builds when things start going wrong; it’s difficult to find your way out of that scenario.
“This is pressure no racing driver feels until you’re fighting for a title in Formula 1.”
(AP)
Kieran Jackson20 October 2025 02:00
Oscar Piastri bullish over F1 title chances: ‘I’d rather be where I am’
“I’d still rather be where I am than the other two,” Piastri said.
“Definitely Max and Red Bull have found a lot of pace since the summer break as well. We saw flashes of it at the start of the year, but it’s been consistent since then.
“I’ve been in fights that were as close or at this point even closer than what they are now. So I’ve got the evidence for myself that things can still turn out well and I still fully believe that I can win the championship.
“This weekend has obviously been tough and the gap has come down a little bit in the last few weekends.”
Oscar Piastri is coming under increasing threat in the title race (AP Photo/John Locher) (AP)
Kieran Jackson20 October 2025 01:00
Oscar Piastri on whether McLaren should now prioritise one driver:
“I don’t think so – we’re still incredibly tight, we both wanted an opportunity to fight for the championship because we deserve it, I think it’s far too close to start picking one or the other.”
(AP)
Kieran Jackson19 October 2025 23:59
RACE REPORT: Max Verstappen closes in on stunning F1 title comeback after perfect weekend in Austin
The lights-to-flag win completed a perfect weekend in Austin for the resurgent Red Bull driver after he also won Saturday’s sprint from pole.
Lando Norris sealed second after winning a race-long tussle with Charles Leclerc in the closing stages as the British driver reduced McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri’s championship lead to 14 points after the Australian finished only fifth.
Kieran Jackson19 October 2025 22:59
Max Verstappen’s 68th victory then – and now he’s just 40 points off Oscar Piastri in the title race!
And the familiar sounds over the last few years of the Dutch and Austrian national anthems.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson19 October 2025 22:35
Max Verstappen after his victory:
On race: “An unbelievable weekend for us.
“The pace between me and Lando was really close, I could eek out a bit of a gap. We kept it in the lead and incredibly proud of everyone.”
On title tilt: “For sure, the chance is there – we just need to try and deliver these kind of weekends until the end. It’s exciting and I’m excited until the end.”
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson19 October 2025 21:58
1) Max Verstappen – Red Bull
2) Lando Norris – McLaren
3) Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
4) Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
5) Oscar Piastri – McLaren
6) George Russell – Mercedes
7) Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull
8) Nico Hulkenberg – Sauber
10) Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin
Kieran Jackson19 October 2025 21:50