F1 United States GP: Sprint race and qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more

F1's sprint format returns this weekend for the 2025 United States Grand Prix. Here’s how and when to watch the sprint race and grand prix qualifying

Max Verstappen will start on pole for Saturday's sprint race at the United States Grand Prix after pipping the McLaren Formula 1 pair to top spot in Austin.

Verstappen beat Lando Norris by 0.071s with championship leader Oscar Piastri in third, close to four tenths off top, setting up the drivers' title fight picture quite nicely.

Piastri leads Norris by 22 points while Verstappen is 63 behind the Australian with six rounds remaining, but the four-time world champion is the main in form with two wins in three for Red Bull.

So how will all of this change in Saturday's sprint race? Just a few hours later will be qualifying for Sunday's grand prix as well, so here is how to watch all of the Saturday action.

What time does the sprint race start for the F1 United States Grand Prix?

The Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car the field

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Date: Saturday 18 October 2025
Start time: 6pm BST/12pm local time

The sprint race for the United States Grand Prix starts at 6pm in the United Kingdom, 12pm locally, covering 19 laps.

What time does qualifying start for the F1 United States Grand Prix?

Date: Saturday 18 October 2025
Start time: 10pm BST/4pm local time

Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix starts at 10pm in the UK, 4pm locally, using the traditional Q1, Q2 and Q3 format.

How can I watch Formula 1?

F1 is available via Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, meaning it can be streamed via NOW TV or Sky GO on a mobile or tablet device, plus a console.

Sky Sports F1, which broadcasts each race weekend, costs £20 per month but it can also be part of a deal that incorporates all Sky channels at £22 monthly. A one-off day membership deal of £14.99 for NOW TV is also available, as is a monthly deal for £31.99.

Channel 4 also broadcasts F1 highlights, with said package going up several hours after the action on Saturday and Sunday.

How can I watch the F1 United States GP sprint race and grand prix qualifying?

Channel: Sky Sports F1
Sprint race start time: 5pm
Qualifying start time: 9pm

Every F1 session is broadcast live by Sky Sports F1 in the UK. This weekend, its sprint race coverage will start at 5pm BST, with its qualifying build-up beginning four hours later. Motorsport.com will also provide live commentary of these sessions.

When can I watch the highlights of the F1 United States GP sprint race and grand prix qualifying?

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

Channel: Channel 4
Start time: 1:35am BST on Sunday 19 October

Highlights of F1’s Saturday and Sunday sessions are broadcast by Channel 4 and that is no different for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.

Channel 4 will broadcast an 80-minute highlight package of the sprint race and grand prix qualifying, which starts at 1:35am on Sunday 19 October. This will also be available via All 4, which is Channel 4’s on-demand catch-up service.

Will the F1 United States GP sprint race and grand prix qualifying be on the radio?

Live radio coverage of every F1 2025 session is available via BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 5 Live Sports Extra or the BBC Sport website.

BBC 5 Live Sports Extra will cover both the sprint race and grand prix qualifying, with its separate coverages beginning at 5:55pm BST and 9:55pm BST respectively.

What’s the weather forecast for the sprint race and grand prix qualifying in Austin?

The United States Grand Prix weekend is expected to be hot and dry, with air temperature around 30C for the sprint race - though that should occur under cloudy skies. It will then rise to approximately 34C for qualifying, with humidity levels dropping from 53% to 36% across both sessions.