F1 Practice Today: Schedule, Start Times, TV and Streaming Info for the 2025 United States Grand Prix… Read more
F1 Practice Today: Schedule, Start Times, TV and Streaming Info for the 2025 United States Grand Prix
The Formula 1 grid roars back into action this weekend as the 2025 United States Grand Prix takes centre stage at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. This year’s race promises to be another thrilling affair, with sprint race action making its much-anticipated return and only a single practice session on the schedule before the competitive events begin.
After the dramatic Singapore Grand Prix, all eyes are now on Austin to see if McLaren, who recently sealed the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, can maintain their winning momentum—or if rivals Mercedes and Red Bull will disrupt the celebrations.
McLaren may have clinched the team title, but their drivers had a mixed result last time out. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished third and fourth respectively in Singapore, with some tension brewing after Norris overtook his Australian teammate on the opening lap. It was George Russell who stole the spotlight that weekend, claiming his fifth career win for Mercedes and beating Max Verstappen to second place. With the Drivers’ Championship still hanging in the balance, both Russell and Verstappen are expected to push hard in Austin to close the gap to Norris and Piastri in the standings.
Adding to the challenge, the FIA has officially declared the United States Grand Prix a “heat hazard” event. With scorching conditions expected throughout the weekend and the return of the sprint format, drivers and teams will have to manage both the high temperatures and a packed schedule featuring double competitive sessions.
Friday’s Action: Practice and Sprint Qualifying
Unlike traditional race weekends, the sprint format allows for just one practice session before the grid heads straight into sprint qualifying. This single hour of free practice is crucial for teams to gather essential data on tyre performance, fuel loads, and cooling strategies in Austin’s hot conditions.
The Free Practice 1 (FP1) session kicks off today, Friday, October 17, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. local time (CDT). Below are the start times converted to key time zones around the world:
- Local (CDT) – 12:30 p.m. Friday
- United States (EDT) – 1:30 p.m. Friday
- United States (PDT) – 10:30 a.m. Friday
- United Kingdom (BST) – 6:30 p.m. Friday
- Central Europe (CEST) – 7:30 p.m. Friday
- South Africa (SAST) – 7:30 p.m. Friday
- Egypt & Turkey (EEST) – 8:30 p.m. Friday
- Saudi Arabia (AST) – 8:30 p.m. Friday
- United Arab Emirates (GST) – 9:30 p.m. Friday
- India (IST) – 11:00 p.m. Friday
- Brazil (BRT) – 2:30 p.m. Friday
- Mexico (CST) – 11:30 a.m. Friday
- China & Singapore (CST/SGT) – 1:30 a.m. Saturday
- Japan (JST) – 2:30 a.m. Saturday
- Australia (AWST) – 1:30 a.m. Saturday
- Australia (ACDT) – 4:00 a.m. Saturday
- Australia (AEDT) – 4:30 a.m. Saturday
This session will be the only chance for drivers to get a feel for the track before the all-important sprint qualifying later on Friday, which sets the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.
Where to Watch the United States Grand Prix
Fans around the globe can tune in through their regional broadcasters to catch all of Friday’s practice and sprint qualifying action. Here’s how to watch live from your country or region:
- United Kingdom: Sky Sports F1
- United States: ESPN and ESPN Deportes
- Italy: Sky Italia
- Netherlands: Viaplay, Viaplay Xtra
- Germany: Sky Deutschland, RTL
- France: Canal+
- Spain: DAZN F1, Mediaset
- Brazil: Bandeirantes, Bandsports
- Australia: Fox Sports, Foxtel, Kayo, Network Ten
- Canada: CTV, RDS, RDS 2, TSN, Noovo
- Mexico: Fox Sports Mexico
- China: CCTV, Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, Tencent
- Japan: Fuji TV, DAZN
- Belgium: RTBF, Telenet, Play Sports
- Austria: Servus TV, ORF
- Middle East & Turkey: beIN SPORTS
- Singapore: beIN SPORTS
- Hungary: M4 (MTVA Sports Channel)
- South Africa and rest of Africa: SuperSport
- Latin America: ESPN
Additionally, F1TV Pro provides live coverage and on-demand replays in select regions, offering an all-access view with onboard cameras, team radios, and detailed data feeds.
Looking Ahead
As the heat rises in Texas, all attention will be on how drivers handle the tough conditions and limited preparation time. With the championship still open and the sprint format shaking up the order, the 2025 United States Grand Prix weekend promises to deliver drama, strategy, and surprises from the very first session.
Fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action as the fight for the Drivers’ Championship intensifies under the Texas sun.
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