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After a three-week break, Formula 1 is back with the Austin Grand Prix set for this weekend on the Texas circuit. The World Championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris resumes, and the British McLaren driver has a prime opportunity. The Texas GP will also feature the Sprint Race, the Saturday mini-race that offers up to 8 points for the winner.
The trend of recent races and McLaren’s dominance suggest that the fight for the world title is more open than ever. Verstappen still holds a solid lead in the drivers' standings with 331 points, but his advantage over Norris continues to shrink. The British driver is now 52 points behind the reigning world champion, with six races left and three more Sprint Races starting with Saturday’s event in Austin. McLaren’s dominance in Singapore offers hope, while Red Bull and Verstappen are seeking answers after recent struggles that have already cost the Austrian team the lead in the constructors' standings.
Between McLaren and Red Bull, Ferrari will be the third contender. Leclerc's title hopes have all but faded, and for the remaining six rounds of the 2024 season, the Scuderia will focus on victories while looking ahead to 2025 and the arrival of Sir Lewis Hamilton, who will replace Carlos Sainz. Nonetheless, both Ferrari drivers will play a key role in the championship battle between Verstappen and Norris.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s teammate and currently fourth in the drivers' standings behind Leclerc, could also become an important ally in Norris’s comeback. Then there’s Mercedes, ready to join the fight for victory, and Checo Perez. The Mexican, as has become routine, is fighting to keep his seat in the final stretch of the season and must prove to be a valuable support for Verstappen. The main race is scheduled for Sunday evening at 9:00 PM CET, while the Sprint Race will take place on Saturday at 8:00 PM CET.
