F1 2025 USA Grand Prix LIVE: Sprint race updates, stream and times in Austin – UK Times

On attempts to sign Verstappen: “There wasn’t any ‘on purpose’ flirting, it’s clear we needed to have the conversation – we ended up in the same place in the summer, it was destabilising for everyone, but we move on now and everything is sorted.

On 2026: “I’m so happy that these cars that we finally get rid of them, we go back to something that is hopefully easier to understand – I’m happy we’re changing.”

On Russell/Verstappen in 2027: “Certainly good entertainment for everyone! But we don’t want to create any rumours, and it’s a good line-up.”

“It was a nice qualifying, it’s about trying to put it all together, not easy but worked out well. I still expect it to be a tough battle tomorrow in the sprint.

“You have to leave a few margins here and there but this has been a very good day.

“Just got to try and have a good start and have pace in the race.”

For all the column inches and social media conjecture throughout most of this year’s Formula One season, George Russell has seldom looked rattled at the myriad of questions thrown his way. Week after week, with a smile and an eyebrow arched, the 27-year-old has repeatedly knocked back suggestions of a shock exit from Mercedes despite the 2025 season, and his original deal, just six rounds from a conclusion.

Yet there was no rush. Once Max Verstappen had committed to Red Bull for next season, officially back in July, it was simply a formality, and now both Russell and 19-year-old Italian teammate Kimi Antonelli have penned fresh terms with Mercedes.

“That was definitely not the pace we were expecting.

“It was looking good in practice, Q1 was pretty decent, then it started to fall away from us. The car is very tough to drive, eight-tenths is a mountain to climb.”

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 336 points

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 314 points

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 273 points

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 237 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 173 points

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 127 points

7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 88 points

8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 70 points

9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 39 points

10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 37 points

Piastri has a 22-point lead at the top:

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 336 points

2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 314 points

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 273 points

4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 237 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 173 points

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 127 points

7. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 88 points

8. Alex Albon (Williams) – 70 points

9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 39 points

10. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 37 points

11. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 34 points

12. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 32 points

13. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 32 points

14. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 30 points

15. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 28 points

16. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points

17. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 20 points

18. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 18 points

19. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 18 points

20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 0 points

21. Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 0 points

On Verstappen’s sprint pole: “We knew it was going to be touch and go, Lando had a very good lap. Max was line-on-line, but in the last corners he sent it in to get the pole.

“He surprises us every time he gets into the car, he’s unbelievable.”