F1 2025 United States Grand Prix: FIA Drops New United States GP weather forecast – latest from Austin… Read more
F1 2025 United States Grand Prix: Austin Set for Scorching Heat as FIA Issues Heat Hazard Warning
Formula 1 is heading to Austin, Texas, this weekend for the 2025 United States Grand Prix — and with just six rounds remaining in the season, the title fight is heating up both figuratively and literally. McLaren has already sealed the constructors’ championship, allowing full attention to turn to the battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris for the drivers’ crown.
Piastri currently leads the standings with a 22-point advantage over his McLaren teammate, while four-time world champion Max Verstappen trails the Australian by 63 points as he seeks to equal Lewis Hamilton’s record of five consecutive world titles. With the Austin event featuring a sprint format, an extra eight championship points are up for grabs, potentially adding more drama to an already intense rivalry.
However, the competition at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) will be made even tougher by extreme weather conditions. The FIA has officially classified the event as a heat hazard weekend, meaning teams and drivers must prepare for soaring temperatures throughout the three days of action. Forecasts suggest that temperatures will peak at over 31°C, with a “real feel” significantly higher due to humidity and sun exposure.
Friday, October 17 – FP1 and Sprint Qualifying
The race weekend kicks off on Friday with the single practice session at 12:30 p.m. local time (CDT). Drivers will face intense conditions right from the start, with air temperatures of around 28°C but a real feel of 33°C under clear skies and 51% humidity. With no chance of rain expected, the focus will be on tyre management and heat acclimatization, as teams only have one hour of practice to fine-tune their setups ahead of competitive sessions.
Later in the afternoon, Sprint Qualifying begins at 4:30 p.m. (CDT), when conditions will become even more challenging. The temperature is expected to climb to 33°C, with a real feel of 37°C. Fortunately, rain is not expected to interfere, but the drivers will still have to battle the sweltering conditions during the intense short-session format. The heat will place additional strain on engines, brakes, and tyres — especially the soft compounds used in qualifying.
Saturday, October 18 – Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying
Saturday’s schedule has been tweaked for 2025 sprint weekends, with the Sprint Race taking place earlier in the day, followed by the traditional qualifying session later in the afternoon.
The Sprint Race, starting at 12:00 p.m. local time (CDT), will feature 19 laps and be run under cloudy but hot conditions. Temperatures will hover around 30°C, but the real feel is expected to hit 37°C — hotter than Friday’s sessions. There’s a slim 8% chance of rain, although that likelihood will fade by the time qualifying begins.
By the time Grand Prix Qualifying gets underway at 4:00 p.m., conditions will be at their most extreme. Temperatures could reach 34°C, with a real feel of 40°C and 37% humidity. Drivers will once again need to manage heat exposure inside their cockpits, where temperatures can soar to nearly 60°C, testing their endurance and concentration.
Sunday, October 19 – Race Day
Race day will finally bring some relief from the scorching conditions seen earlier in the weekend. When lights go out at 2:00 p.m. local time (CDT), the air temperature is expected to be 29°C, with a real feel close to 28°C — making it the most comfortable session of the event. Humidity will drop to 23%, and wind speeds will be lower, creating a calmer atmosphere for both competitors and fans at the circuit.
The FIA predicts zero chance of rain throughout Sunday’s race, meaning strategy will focus entirely on tyre management, pit stops, and driver performance rather than weather uncertainty.
Final Thoughts
With relentless heat forecast and the FIA’s heat hazard warning in effect, the 2025 United States Grand Prix promises to be as much a test of physical resilience as of driving skill. McLaren’s dominance in the constructors’ championship has freed Piastri and Norris to fight for personal glory, while Verstappen lurks in the shadows, ready to capitalize on any slip-up.
The Circuit of the Americas is set to deliver another thrilling weekend of Formula 1 action — one where the Texas sun might prove just as punishing as the high-speed corners of the track itself. Fans and teams alike will be keeping a close eye on the skies — and the thermometers — as the title battle rages on in Austin.
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