F1 US Grand Prix: FP1 Kicks Off Thrilling Sprint Weekend at COTA

The United States Grand Prix officially begins with the sole practice session of the weekend, a critical period for teams and drivers to fine-tune their setups before the sprint format intensifies the action. This standalone FP1 session is immediately followed by qualifying for Saturday's sprint race, setting a rapid pace for the Austin event.

Why it matters:

This year's US Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is a sprint weekend, meaning teams have only one practice session to nail their car setups before qualifying. This compressed schedule puts immense pressure on engineers and drivers alike, as any misstep in FP1 can severely impact their performance across both the sprint and main grand prix.

The details:

• Sprint Format Intensifies Action: COTA hosts the fourth sprint weekend of the season, compressing the usual three practice sessions into one crucial FP1 before sprint qualifying.
• Ferrari's Past Glory vs. Present Struggles: While Ferrari secured a dominant one-two finish in Austin last season, expectations are low for a repeat performance. Lewis Hamilton has commented that the Scuderia's capabilities are "limited" for the current weekend.
• McLaren's Internal Rivalry: Having already sealed the constructors' championship, McLaren is now focused on the brewing rivalry between championship leader Oscar Piastri and teammate Lando Norris. Their on-track clashes, like the one at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix, are expected to continue as the drivers' title battle heats up.
• Special Liveries Abound: Several teams are sporting unique liveries for the US Grand Prix:
  • McLaren: Introducing a new chrome-accented, Google Gemini livery on their papaya cars.
  • Racing Bulls: Partnering with Cash App and country singer Shaboozey for a special design.
  • Williams: Debuting a 2002-inspired retro livery for Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.
  • Aston Martin: Unveiling their first bespoke livery, a science-themed, one-off design.

What's next:

With FP1 being the only opportunity for practice, teams will be pushing hard to gather data and optimize their cars. The immediate focus shifts to sprint qualifying later today, which will determine the grid for Saturday's sprint race. The outcomes of both the sprint and the main race will be heavily influenced by how effectively teams maximize this brief practice window. The internal battles, particularly at McLaren, are expected to add an extra layer of excitement to the sprint events.