F1 next heads to Austin as the Circuit of the Americas hosts the United States Grand Prix - and the fourth sprint weekend of the 2025 season.
McLaren title rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris clashed last time out in Singapore, with the Australian upset after his teammate’s lap one overtake involved contact between the two cars. Norris finished third, a spot ahead of Piastri, and narrowed the deficit in the world championship to 22 points with six rounds to go. McLaren have since stated that Norris faces “repercussions” following the incident.
Max Verstappen finished second in Singapore and is 63 points off Piastri in the title race, while George Russell claimed his second victory of the season in the city-state. The British driver, alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli, extended his contract with Mercedes on Wednesday.
As for Ferrari, it was another difficult weekend in Singapore as Lewis Hamilton still searches for his first podium of the season. Charles Leclerc won last year’s race in Austin, as the Scuderia claimed a one-two finish.
F1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- The US Grand Prix takes place at 8pm (BST)
- Max Verstappen starts on pole; Norris 2nd; Leclerc 3rd
- CRASH! Norris and Piastri out on lap one of 19-lap sprint
- Verstappen won the Saturday sprint; Russell 2nd; Sainz 3rd
- READ: Inside George Russell's new £30m-a-year Mercedes contract
What time is the United States Grand Prix?
Sunday 19 October 2025 00:36
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Kieran Jackson
The race in Austin starts at 8pm (BST) on Sunday.
F1 drivers parade
19:12
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Kieran Jackson
Martin Brundle on McLaren's chances this evening:
19:06
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Kieran Jackson
“I think the McLaren will be stronger here than in the last few races - the temprature, the track, plays into their hands.
“I’d be surprised if Oscar isn’t on the podium and Lando must have a chance against Max.”
A reminder of the starting grid in Austin:
19:00
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Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
2) Lando Norris - McLaren
3) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
6) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
7) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
8) Ollie Bearman - Haas
9) Carlos Sainz - Williams
10) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
11) Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
12) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
13) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
14) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
15) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
16) Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber
17) Esteban Ocon - Haas
18) Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
19) Alex Albon - Williams
20) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
Constructor standings heading into the sprint:
18:53
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Kieran Jackson
1. McLaren - 650 points (champions)
2. Mercedes - 333 points
3. Ferrari - 307 points
4. Red Bull - 300 points
5. Williams - 111 points
6. Racing Bulls - 72 points
7. Aston Martin - 68 points
8. Sauber - 55 points
9. Haas - 46 points
10. Alpine - 20 points
George Russell, who qualified fourth:
18:45
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Kieran Jackson
“I was pretty happy with my lap, but it’s annoying when it’s 0.02 to the front row.
“Realistically, I think it’ll be very difficult to fight for more than P3. I expect Oscar to come through pretty well, overtaking is pretty good around this track. It can be anyone’s day – who knows?
“You’ve got to be dynamic off the line, you have a rough gameplan but you can’t say ‘I’m going to do this’, because you have to prepare.”
Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko:
18:29
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Kieran Jackson
On recent improvement: “Different direction from a development side, engineers asking the driver want they want. It’s Max who delivers, you can rely on that.
On Verstappen’s form: “He has confidence, the car is to his liking, that keeps his confidence, he delivers with fantastic lap times.
“Max at what stage, he lost a bit of interest, he had more interest in GT racing, Nurburgring and things like this. But now car is working, two-tenths just came from him, he’s motivated, you don’t
Oscar Piastri, after qualifying only sixth-fastest
18:15
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Kieran Jackson
On lap: “No mistakes, just didn’t get into a rhythm all session, struggled. That was about all.”
On race: “Max has looked quick all weekend, we’ll have to wait and see if this translates.
On sprint crash: “It is just a racing incident, Lando and I were a long way from the apex, impossible to see everything from there. You have to trust your gut and instinct.
On resetting: “Yeah, I think so. When you don’t have the pace you want, it’s never the nicest feeling. But there’s opportunities tomorrow, a track you can overtake on – the weekend is far from over.”
F1 sells US TV rights to Apple in $140m a year deal
18:00
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Kieran Jackson
Apple has landed US broadcast rights to F1 in a five-year deal that would help the tech giant bolster its streaming service with one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, following the success of F1: The Movie.
The two sides did not disclose the financial details of the deal on Friday. CNBC reported it was for $140m a year, much higher than the $90m the Walt Disney-owned ESPN was paying each season for F1, which it has broadcast since 2018.
Apple’s deal begins next year. The iPhone maker will stream F1 on Apple TV, its critically acclaimed streaming service that won 22 Emmy awards this year but lacks the scale to compete with industry leaders such as Netflix and Disney+ despite billions of dollars in investment.
Reuters
F1 boss Stefano Domeicali on new Austin deal:
17:04
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Kieran Jackson
“Each year, the event at the Circuit of the Americas stands out as a true highlight for fans, drivers, and teams alike, drawing hundreds of thousands of passionate supporters who come to witness the thrilling on-track action and soak up the vibrant energy of the circuit and the city.
“As Formula 1 continues to grow and thrive in the United States, we are proud to extend our partnership with Bobby Epstein and his outstanding team in Austin, as well as with Governor Abbott, whose leadership has been instrumental in supporting the sport’s development in Texas and beyond.
“Both have shown unwavering commitment to F1, and their shared vision and investment have played a vital role in establishing the strong foundation we now enjoy in the U.S.”
NEW: F1 extends deal with Austin to host United States Grand Prix
16:43
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Kieran Jackson
F1 has extended its deal with Austin to host the 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.
Martin Brundle on Lando Norris' potential 'consequences'
16:00
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Kieran Jackson
“It’s slightly odd, but I think what McLaren are doing for the sport is really good - they can race from lights out until the chequered flag, with one rule: don’t crash into one another.
“If we were in a development race, it would be Oscar getting the new parts first. If you need a slipstream, Oscar would get priority. If it’s that sort of intra-team thing, which doesn’t hand an advantage to other teams.”
Full starting grid:
15:00
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Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
2) Lando Norris - McLaren
3) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
6) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
7) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
8) Ollie Bearman - Haas
9) Carlos Sainz - Williams
10) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
11) Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
12) Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
13) Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
14) Pierre Gasly - Alpine
15) Franco Colapinto - Alpine
16) Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber
17) Esteban Ocon - Haas
18) Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
19) Alex Albon - Williams
20) Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
READ: Twenty years on from Indianapolis farce, Austin spectacle typifies F1’s American boom
14:00
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Kieran Jackson
Feature by Kieran Jackson
The setting is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: home to the world-famous Indy 500 race. Ahead of the 2005 United States Grand Prix, at a circuit modified for Formula One, ITV pundit and former F1 driver Martin Brundle is interviewing the sport’s long-term supremo and commander-in-chief Bernie Ecclestone on the grid. And you may well say, nothing unusual about that.
What is more unusual is Brundle’s direct, bordering on combative, line of questioning. A huddle of camera crew and journalists huddle around, eager for answers. Because F1’s only race in the land of the free is about to become a farce. Out of 20 cars, only six are set to take to the start line. For the sport and its tempestuous 55-year relationship with the US, it is the ultimate moment of “lunacy”, as Brundle depicts it.
“The future of Formula One in America?” asks Brundle. “Not good,” Ecclestone replies.
It is a far cry from where the sport is stateside now.
Max Verstappen moves into F1 world title picture after super Saturday in Austin
13:00
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Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen moved further into the F1 title picture by winning Saturday’s sprint and clinching a dominant pole position for Sunday’s race in Austin after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri suffered a costly collision.
The Dutchman charged to pole position in qualifying by almost three tenths from Norris as championship leader Piastri could manage only sixth to cap off a miserable Saturday for the Australian.
Norris was no match for Verstappen but will be heartened to have Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton between him and title rival Piastri on the grid for the 56-lap race as he seeks to cut the 22-point gap in the standings.
READ: Inside George Russell’s new Mercedes deal – and why Brit is now poised for F1 title charge
12:00
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Kieran Jackson
By Kieran Jackson
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.
Full piece below:
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
11:00
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Kieran Jackson
On attempts to sign Verstappen: “There wasn’t any ‘on purpose’ flirting, it’s clear we needed to have the conversation - we ended up in the same place in the summer, it was destabilising for everyone, but we move on now and everything is sorted.
On 2026: “I’m so happy that these cars that we finally get rid of them, we go back to something that is hopefully easier to understand - I’m happy we’re changing.”
On Russell/Verstappen in 2027: “Certainly good entertainment for everyone! But we don’t want to create any rumours, and it’s a good line-up.”
George Russell convinced he has the best seat in Formula One at Mercedes
10:00
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Kieran Jackson
“I think if every single seat was available right now and I could choose any single seat to race for the 2026 season I would choose Mercedes,” Russell said.
“I think a number of drivers would do so as well.
“Nobody can foresee what’s going to happen in the future and I’m sure there are going to be big uncertainties and unknowns going into next year and surprises, good and bad.
“But you can only make a decision based on the information you have in the moment and with all the info I have, I’m super happy.
Christian Horner ‘played a character’ at Red Bull, claims Susie Wolff
09:00
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Kieran Jackson
Susie Wolff has suggested that Christian Horner “played a character very well” during his time running the Red Bull team and that the allegations surrounding him were “a real shame” for F1.
Horner was relieved of his duties as Red Bull F1 team principal back in July after 20 years and 14 world titles at the team he built from the bottom up.
He officially left last month, having received an £80m pay-off, and Laurent Mekies was installed as his replacement as both chief executive and team principal.
Full quotes below:
Christian Horner rumours are distracting for Ferrari, says Lewis Hamilton
04:00
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Kieran Jackson
Hamilton believes that talk of Horner replacing Fred Vasseur is not helping their cause.
“It is a little bit distracting for us as a team,” Hamilton said ahead of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
“The team have made it clear where things stand in terms of re-signing Fred. Fred and the whole team are working really hard on the future of the team.
“I don’t know where the rumours have come from so I can’t really shed much light on that. These things naturally aren’t helpful. I know everyone back at the factory is working really hard and these kind of rumours can be distracting.
“For me it is trying to keep the focus on the goal in front of us and building next years car so that we can have better execution and better performance.”
Lando Norris to face ‘repercussions’ after Singapore collision with Oscar Piastri
03:00
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Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris will face “repercussions” after McLaren held him responsible for the first-lap collision with Oscar Piastri in Singapore.
“Lando has taken responsibility for that,” Piastri said. “I think it’s quite clear for us as a team that how lap one unfolded wasn’t how we want to go racing.”
Norris accepted the team’s decision to blame him for the incident. He also suggested that the unspecified consequences dealt out to him would be noticeable.
“The team held me accountable for what happened, which I think is fair,” Norris said. “Then we made progress from there on and understanding what the repercussions were for myself.
Charles Leclerc after claiming third:
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:59
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Kieran Jackson
“It was a big surprise, we put everything in there. There was a big swing in performance, we learned a lot in the sprint race.
“Our car is usually stronger in the race than qualifying. Not sure if it’s strong enough to stay with the McLarens or Max.”
Lewis Hamilton, who qualified fifth:
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:58
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Kieran Jackson
“I was struggling with the balance from the get-go, I had massive understeer. I added eight holes of front wing, with that understeer, it made it really difficult.
“Overall, an improvement for us as a team - we made a step forward today, would have loved to be higher, let’s hope we can get there tomorrow.”
Lando Norris who starts in second:
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:46
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Kieran Jackson
“It was more of a struggle today, struggling to be as good as this guy, it could have been worse - no chance we were going to be a pole today.
“Don’t get hit [tomorrow]! Hope to have a good race with Max.”
FULL QUALIFYING RESULT
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:36
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Kieran Jackson
Verstappen and Norris on the Front Row!
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 18, 2025
Here's your starting grid for the Grand Prix #F1 #USGP pic.twitter.com/uBiv37KGz2
Max Verstappen after claiming pole:
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:33
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Kieran Jackson
“The car was very strong, it’s very hot and very strong winds. First sector tail-wind is challenging, first run in Q3 was good. A very strong result.
“The car was moving around a lot more, it was a lot harder today. You can’t commit as much as you usually can.”
Top-10 in Austin qualifying
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:20
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Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - Red Bull
2) Lando Norris - McLaren
3) Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
4) George Russell - Mercedes
5) Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari
6) Oscar Piastri - McLaren
7) Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
8) Ollie Bearman - Haas
9) Carlos Sainz - Williams
10) Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
Max Verstappen on pole for the US Grand Prix!
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:13
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Kieran Jackson
Verstappen couldn’t set a second lap as Red Bull screwed up the timings - but it didn’t matter!
Lando Norris in second, 0.291 secs off Verstappen, with Charles Leclerc in third.
Oscar Piastri down in sixth!
4-10: Russell, Hamilton, Piastri, Antonelli, Bearman, Sainz, Alonso
Max Verstappen on provisional pole
Saturday 18 October 2025 23:06
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Kieran Jackson
Verstappen goes P1 after the first set of laps - and by some distance!
Four-tenths is the difference to Lando Norris in second, with George Russell in third.
3-10: Russell, Antonelli, Bearman, Sainz, Piastri, Alonso, Hamilton, Leclerc
Leclerc had a spin at the final turn. However, they will all come in and go again...
5:00 to go in Q3.
Q3 underway
Saturday 18 October 2025 22:59
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Kieran Jackson
Here we go then - who will be on pole in Austin?
10 drivers involved: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, Antonelli, Alonso, Bearman, Sainz
Tsunoda out in Q2
Saturday 18 October 2025 22:53
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Kieran Jackson
While Max Verstappen is P1, his Red Bull teammate is out in Q2 - only 13th for the Japanese driver.
Bottom-five (11-15) and out in Q2: Hulkenberg, Lawson, Tsunoda, Gasly, Colapinto
Ollie Bearman makes the top-10...
Top-3: Verstappen, Leclerc, Norris
Russell up to P6
Saturday 18 October 2025 22:49
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Kieran Jackson
That’s pretty solid from Russell - he goes up to sixth.
Big moments for Yuki Tsunoda then, who remains in the bottom-five.
2:00 left in Q2..
Russell in bottom-five
Saturday 18 October 2025 22:45
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Kieran Jackson
First laps in Q2 are in and a surprise - George Russell is in the bottom-five right now.
Only P12 for the Mercedes man.
Current bottom-five (11-15): Lawson, Russell, Tsunoda, Colapinto, Gasly
There’s time though - 6:00 left in Q2.
Lando Norris on team radio:
Saturday 18 October 2025 22:40
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Kieran Jackson
“I’m going to need a new steering wheel for the next run, the whole grip has come off.”
More issues for Lando...
Q2 underway
Saturday 18 October 2025 22:36
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Kieran Jackson
Plenty of cars out queuing at the end of the pit-lane as we get underway with the second phase of qualifying.
VIDEO: Stroll crashes into Ocon in sprint
Saturday 18 October 2025 21:55
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Kieran Jackson
Stroll has received a five-place grid penalty for tomorrow’s race after this mad move.
BIG contact between Stroll and Ocon pic.twitter.com/8InAQj1uba
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 18, 2025
Qualifying approaches
Saturday 18 October 2025 21:50
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Kieran Jackson
So after a tough morning for McLaren, it’s a big session for Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Can one of them usurp Max Verstappen’s dominance so far in Austin?
We’re about to find out!
Lando Norris after crashing out of the sprint
Saturday 18 October 2025 21:46
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Kieran Jackson
"I just got hit, right? I did nothing wrong. Further back things happened and I just got unlucky and got hit because of it.
“I don't know. I need to look a bit more carefully. It's more people further back just being a bit careless and we are the consequence of that."
SPRINT RACE REPORT:
Saturday 18 October 2025 20:30
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Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided with each other on the first lap again as the title rivals were both dumped out of the United States sprint.
The build-up to the weekend has been dominated by the “consequences” imposed by McLaren on Norris after the team held him responsible for banging wheels with Piastri in Singapore a fortnight ago.
That minor tap paled into insignificance compared to the carnage at turn one of Saturday’s sprint in Austin as Norris was left with only three tyres on his car.
Full piece below:
Charles Leclerc, who finished fifth:
Saturday 18 October 2025 20:15
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Kieran Jackson
“The feeling was much better today. I did a big mistake and almost ended up in the wall in turn five. Starting from P10, without the thing at the start, it would have been very difficult. We need to focus on qualifying and do a better job.”
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella:
Saturday 18 October 2025 20:00
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Kieran Jackson
“We are disappointed we didn’t get the chance to race. It’s surprising that some drivers with experience don’t act with prudence. Overall, disappointed, we take it on the chin, there’s a lot to do and we restart the weekend from there.
“We have lost eight points with both drivers, we know if we can race normally, we have a competitive car, the scores will take care of themselves. We look forward to some normal racing.”
Lewis Hamilton, after finishing fourth;
Saturday 18 October 2025 19:50
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Kieran Jackson
“The pace was decent, it felt a bit better in race trim than it did in qualifying. Managed to avoid the drama at turn one, I didn’t position my car particularly well, left the door open to Charles.
“Shame I couldn’t get close enough to get into the top-three but hoping for a better qualifying today, fingers crossed.”
WATCH: Norris and Piastri crash out
Saturday 18 October 2025 19:40
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Kieran Jackson
The moment Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri CRASHED OUT of the US GP Sprint on the first corner! pic.twitter.com/pxnfKoas5Q
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 18, 2025
What time does qualifying start?
Saturday 18 October 2025 19:39
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Kieran Jackson
Qualifying for the US Grand Prix is at 10pm (BST).
Oscar Piastri after crashing out on the sprint:
Saturday 18 October 2025 19:31
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Kieran Jackson
“I had a pretty good start, I tried to cut back and got hit - not a great way to start the day, but I need to have another look.”
Carlos Sainz after finishing third:
Saturday 18 October 2025 19:20
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Kieran Jackson
“We definitely had a solid race, solid pace, Ferraris were quick behind. We’re getting a bit more lucky but things have stopped happening to us, I’ve had this pace all year! Things are running a lot smoother, things are clicking. The car was great.”
Huge cheers for Sainz as he takes to the microphone.
George Russell on his attempted overtake:
Saturday 18 October 2025 19:10
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Kieran Jackson
“I knew you don’t get many opportunities with Max, sent it, glad I gave it a go. P2 was better than we could have expected.
