The Formula One title run-in begins this weekend at the United States Grand Prix as Lando Norris look to chase down Max Verstappen.
The McLaren driver has had to endure a month-long ‘autumn break’ following his dominant win over Red Bull and the rest in Singapore.
Verstappen is eight races without a victory but has won the last three visits to Texasgetty
Norris is 52 points behind three-time world champion Verstappen, with McLaren already taking the lead in the Constructor’s standings.
The 24-year-old will have to be near-perfect from here on out in pursuit of a maiden title and now begins the closing run of six races in eight weeks.
F1’s second visit to the USA will also see the return of Sprint format for the fourth time this season to leave even less margin for error.
Daniel Ricciardo’s final action on the grid was to take the fastest lap bonus point from Norris which has meant Verstappen is guaranteed the title if he finishes second to the Brit in every remaining Grand Prix and sprint.
United States Grand Prix: Date and UK start time
The race weekend at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas will take place from Friday, October 18 to Sunday, October 20.
Practice will get underway at 6:30pm UK time on Friday with Qualifying for Saturday’s Sprint at 10:30pm later the same day.
The Sprint Race will kickstart Saturday’s action at 7pm, before a second round of qualifying – for the race this time – starts at 11pm.
Light’s Out for the Grand Prix will take place at 8pm on Sunday.
Hamilton lost his second place finish last year after his car was disqualifiedGetty
United States Grand Prix: TV channel and live stream
The race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.
Coverage of the race is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm on Sunday.
Sky Sports customers can live stream this via the app using their mobile, tablet or computer devices.
You can also purchase a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £11.98 while Channel Four will broadcast highlights later in the evening.
talkSPORT will also have live updates throughout the race from Jon Jackson.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Anthony Joshua has been among the celebrities to attend the traditional home of the US GP in TexasGetty
United States Grand Prix: What has been said?
Ricciardo could make a shock appearance in the paddock just weeks after his Formula 1 career was ended.
The Australian has been replaced by Liam Lawson at Visa Cash App RB but remains one of the most popular F1 drivers in America.
And Bobby Epstein, chairman of the Circuit of the Americas track that is staging the race, is hoping Ricciardo will still show up.
He said, as quoted by ESPN: “Daniel, he may be able to have just as big of an impact out of the car as he has in it at our grand prix.
“I’m not sure that necessarily people are buying tickets to come see him race if he’s not in a competitive car, right? So if you’re coming because he’s part of the F1 community, I think he can still be part of the F1 community in a pretty meaningful way.
“He’s really, really loved in Texas, and I think he likes it here,” Epstein added.
“And so I would hope that he makes himself available more to the fans than he would otherwise be if he had an obligation in the car.
“I hope he’s still coming here, because we got a lot of people that would love to shake his hand or get his autograph or take a picture. Just see him around town.
Ricciardo famously arrived in the Austin paddock in 2022 on a horseGetty
United States Grand Prix: Drivers’ standings
Max Verstappen, Red Bull – 331
Lando Norris, McLaren – 279
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 245
Oscar Piastri, McLaren – 237
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – 190
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes – 174
George Russell, Mercedes – 155
Sergio Perez, Red Bull – 144
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin – 62
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin – 24
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas – 22
Yuki Tsunoda, RB – 22
Daniel Ricciardo, RB – 12 OUT
Alexander Albon, Williams – 12
Pierre Gasly, Alpine – 8
Oliver Bearman, Ferrari – 7
Kevin Magnussen, Haas – 6
Esteban Ocon, Alpine – 5
Franco Colapinto, Williams – 4
Zhou Guanyu, Kick Sauber – 0
Valtteri Bottas, Kick Sauber – 0
Liam Lawson, RB – 0
Logan Sargent, Williams – 0 OUT
