USA Grand Prix 2023: Championship Battle Heats Up in Austin, Texas
Formula One is making its return to the United States with the USA Grand Prix set to take place in Austin, Texas. This event marks the fourth Sprint weekend of the season and could have a significant impact on the race for the world championship. Following the USA Grand Prix, the series will continue with races in Mexico, Brazil, and Las Vegas, extending into November. The current leader in the drivers' standings is Oscar Piastri from McLaren, holding a 22-point lead over his teammate Lando Norris. However, controversy arose in the previous race in Singapore when Norris and Piastri collided on the first lap, affecting Norris' podium finish. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, is also in the mix but trails by 63 points.
The upcoming Sprint weekend in Texas offers 33 points up for grabs, adding to the excitement of the championship battle. George Russell, who recently secured his spot at Mercedes until 2026, emerged victorious in Singapore, outperforming both Piastri and Norris. Meanwhile, Ferrari is looking to bounce back from a disappointing season and make a strong showing in the USA Grand Prix. The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 19 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
Fans can catch all the action from the USA Grand Prix on Sky Sports' dedicated F1 channel, with coverage starting from the first practice session on Friday at 6.30pm BST. The Sprint qualifying will follow later in the evening at around 10pm BST, leading up to the Sprint race on Saturday at 6pm BST. The main event, the Grand Prix race, is set to kick off on Sunday at 8pm BST (3pm local time). For those unable to watch on TV, Sky Sports subscribers can stream the race live online through the Sky Go app or NOW. Additionally, Channel 4 will provide free-to-air highlights of the race at 12.30am BST on Monday morning, with a repeat airing at 9am. Don't miss the thrilling action as the drivers battle it out in the USA Grand Prix for crucial points in the championship standings.