It’s race day at Circuit of the Americas with Max Verstappen starting the 2025 United States Grand Prix on pole. The four-time defending champion has already won this weekend’s sprint race from pole, and can heap the pressure on McLaren’s championship rivals with a win for Red Bull today.

Max Verstappen emerged victorious from a chaotic sprint at the United States Grand Prix to firmly position himself in the Formula 1 championship battle. The Dut

SportsLine's Mike McClure reveals his picks and F1 props for 2025 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, where Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are favorites

Take the first Q3 runs at the Circuit of the Americas, for example. Verstappen stormed past Lando Norris’ time by 0.394 seconds to claim provisional pole position with a 1:32.510-second lap. Oscar Piastri, meanwhile, was down in seventh and nearly a second slower than the Dutchman.

The 2025 United States Grand Prix is set for Austin, Texas, from October 17 to 19. This year includes a sprint weekend format. Oscar Piastri leads the championship, followed by Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.

Tsunoda described his elimination as “shocking,” and also expressed some frustration with Liam Lawson, who he replaced at Red Bull. Tsunoda left pit lane right behind Lawson, who maintained his position in front of Tsunoda as is his right.

The technology giant has secured the exclusive rights to show F1 on a five-year deal, building on a relationship that already exists through the Apple Original Films F1 Movie, starring Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, and Javier Bardem, which has proven a box-office hit this year.

Piastri currently leads the Formula 1 standings with 336 points, followed by McLaren teammate Lando Norris at 314 and Red Bull's Max Verstappen with 273. However he's been named the No. 2 contender to win this year's U.S. Grand Prix, standing 10 seconds behind Verstappen. But of course, like any competition, anything can happen.