Grand Prix

Brutal Weather Forecast For 2025 United States Grand Prix As FIA Issue Declaration

Drivers will face more extreme conditions this week in Austin. What will the weather be like at COTA for the Formula 1 2025 U.S. Grand Prix?
Kaitlin Tucci|
Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Moneygram Haas F1 Team driver Kevin Magnussen (20) of Team Denmark drives during qualifying for the Sprint Race in the 2024 Formula One US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Moneygram Haas F1 Team driver Kevin Magnussen (20) of Team Denmark drives during qualifying for the Sprint Race in the 2024 Formula One US Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Formula 1 is returning to America for one of the most 'iconic' races amongst Formula 1 fans at Austin's Circuit of the Americas.

This location is home to an incredibly difficult track, featuring steep inclines and tight turns throughout the course of the race. Not to mention this weekend features an F1 Sprint Race.

With only 1 practice session and the second race weekend in a row that the FIA has declared a heat hazard, the drivers and teams are sure to face some difficult conditions at COTA.

The declaration of a heat hazard by the FIA means that the drivers will have the option to wear cooling vests under their race suits to maintain a cooler body temperature and struggle a bit less in the conditions within their car.

Charles Leclerc Austin
Oct 21, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Charles Leclerc of Ferrari prepares for the Sprint Race of the 2023 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-Imagn Images | Erich Schlegel-Imagn Images

COTA was the last race that Charles Leclerc has stood on the top step, with Ferrari finishing the 2024 race in 1st and 2nd place (Carlos Sainz) just trailed by Max Verstappen last season.

Last year, this track wasn't the best for the World Constructor's Champions and current 1-2 in the Drivers' Championship, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. However, with such severe conditions, COTA could be anyone's race.

F1 2025 U.S. Grand Prix weather forecast

Friday, October 17 - Free Practice / Sprint Qualifying

  • Mostly sunny and very dry day with a light wind expected throughout the day.
  • Free Practice temperature expected 86 Degrees Fahrenheit / 30 Degrees Celsius
  • Sprint Qualifying temperature expected 90 Degrees Fahrenheit / 32 Degrees Celsius
  • Chance of rain: 0% 

Saturday, October 18 - Sprint Race / Qualifying

  • Saturday is the hottest day of the weekend. Sunny during the day with clouds gradually rolling in and potential showers in the mid-afternoon.
  • Sprint Race temperature expected 88 Degrees Fahrenheit / 30 Degrees Celsius
  • Qualifying temperature expected 91 Degrees Fahrenheit / 33 Degrees Celsius
  • Chance of rain: 20%

Sunday, October 19 - Race

  • Mostly cloudy with showers over night until sunrise. Sunny for the rest of the day and during the race.
  • Race start temperature expected 90 Degrees Fahrenheit / 32 Degrees Celsius
  • Chance of rain: 20%

Weather forecast information was accurate at the time of publish. Forecast is subject to change.

The United States Grand Prix has been held at COTA since 2012 in the current era of Formula 1, with it previously being held in Indianapolis prior to its return to Austin. The extreme temperatures of Texas have always been a factor in this race and a signature turning point in the F1 Calendar.

Find more information on the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).

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Kaitlin Tucci
KAITLIN TUCCI

Kaitlin Tucci has been a fan of motorsport for close to a decade. Before joining On SI in 2025, she contributed heavily to the marketing and media efforts at FanAmp, a motorsports startup for which she was the Head of Marketing. She has contributed to a number of publications covering series such as Formula 1, IndyCar, IMSA, and more... Kaitlin graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with both a degree in Business/Marketing and Political Science. She works full time as a marketer at high-growth tech startups while spending her weekends immersed in the world of racing. Kaitlin was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, but has lived in New York City for the past 5 years with her 'giant chihuahua' Willow. You'll often catch Willow watching races alongside Kaitlin, but unfortunately she doesn't have enough airline miles to join her at the track just yet.

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