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

Formula 1 is back this weekend with its widely popular United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas where the title fight is again expected to dominate discussions.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri tops McLaren team-mate Lando Norris by 22 points, while reigning champion Max Verstappen sits third and 63 points off top.

The Red Bull driver is the most in-form though with two wins and a runner-up finish in the last three grands prix leaving him potentially in contention.

So all of that and more will be on show this weekend in Austin, which will also host a sprint race meaning 33 points, as opposed to the usual 25, are on offer to each driver.

Here is how to watch Friday’s action, featuring the sole practice session and qualifying for the sprint race on Saturday.

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

Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

• Date: Friday 17 October 2025
• Start time: 6:30pm BST/12:30pm local time

Practice for the United States Grand Prix starts at 6:30pm in the United Kingdom, 12:30pm locally, and it is the only FP session of the weekend. 

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

• Date: Friday 17 October 2025
• Start time: 10:30pm BST/4:30pm local time

Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix sprint race starts at 10:30pm in the UK, 4:30pm locally, using the traditional SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3 format.

How can I watch Formula 1?

Sky Sports holds the exclusive rights to broadcast F1 in the UK, meaning it can be streamed via NOW TV or Sky GO on a mobile or tablet device, plus a console.

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

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

• Channel: Sky Sports F1
• Practice start time: 6pm
• Sprint race qualifying start time: 10pm

Every F1 session is broadcast live by Sky Sports F1 in the UK. This weekend, its practice build-up will begin at 6pm BST, with its sprint race qualifying coverage starting 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 practice and sprint race qualifying? 

Race start, as drivers race into the first corner

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

Channel 4 will not broadcast highlights of practice and sprint race qualifying at the United States Grand Prix. Its coverage will start after the sprint race and grand prix qualifying on Saturday.

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

The Austin round is expected to be dry all weekends and that starts with practice, which should occur in 28C heat with that potentially rising to 30C. The session should also take place in sunny conditions, which is the same for sprint qualifying where air temperature should be around 32C.