Max Verstappen closed in further and McLaren faced more questions about ‘Papaya rules’, but there were other developments and moments during the United States Grand Prix weekend that perhaps didn’t make their way onto every single radar.
Cadillac making the right noises
Austin is a busy weekend at the best of times, but it only seems to be getting bigger. During a five-day window that saw Mercedes confirm its driver line-up, F1 announce a new eight-year contract extension for COTA, and Apple get the US broadcasting rights, the newest team on the block knew there wasn’t really room to muscle in with its own messaging.
Symonds was coy on Cadillac’s progress
Getty Images
So prior to anything happening at the circuit on Thursday, Cadillac hosted an event downtown to provide an update on the team’s progress. Executive engineering consultant Pat Symonds was joined by GM’s vice-president of motor sports competition Eric Warren, in a wide-ranging discussion about the challenges facing the team and where it is along its journey.
While Symonds admits it’s a major challenge that Cadillac is taking on simply to build the team up to be ready for 2026 – let alone a car – he says everyone involved needs to be very proud of the fact that everything, so far, is on schedule.
Whether that proves to be enough to be competitive next year is another matter, with Symonds notably stopping short of stating how the team is stacking up against its “very aggressive” aerodynamic targets.
But TWG Motorsports CEO Dan Towriss told me later in the weekend that the intention is to underpromise and overdeliver, and if Cadillac manages to do that, then it will be in a surprisingly good spot to start its F1 journey.
Russell’s bold statement
There was a point earlier in the year when George Russell admitted it had been a destabilising time awaiting confirmation of a new contract at Mercedes. Interest in Verstappen had been described as understandable, but when that move clearly wasn’t happening, Russell was suddenly more punchy in his stance.
Russell feels ready for a title
Grand Prix Photo
Although it was obvious Russell would be staying where he was, negotiations took a surprisingly long time before finally being completed, with confirmation ahead of the Austin weekend.
As luck would have it, Russell’s illness in Baku delayed an interview with the 27-year-old until the United States, so he could talk with certainty about his future, and Russell made a statement that backs up every indication so far about Mercedes’ 2026 chances.
“It’s not about the money for me, or the fame, or anything that comes with it,” he said. “For me, it’s about winning. And if every single seat was available and I could choose anywhere to go and race for 2026, I would choose to be with Mercedes.
“I believe this is my best chance to win the world championship. And I’m sure there are a number of drivers, if they had the same opportunity to choose any single team to race with, and if every seat was available and you didn’t consider loyalty or anything, I think a lot of drivers would choose Mercedes.
“That is the information we have today. Maybe we’re wrong in Melbourne, but I can’t see into the future. I’ve made the decision based on what I know now and I’m super happy.”
In reality, Russell didn’t have another option. But Mercedes’ confidence in its 2026 power unit and aerodynamic package is in line with predictions it could return to title-winning ways.
Mixed reaction to Apple’s arrival
Regular readers of these columns might have noticed a theme in some of them, relating to the plans for the American broadcast partner. It was confirmed as Apple on Friday, in a move that could impact the rest of the global broadcast partners.
For one, it’s a move that is clearly designed to tap into more than just a broadcast platform. Viewing figures on Apple TV – that will also incorporate F1 TV – appear almost certain to be lower than the combination of ESPN and F1 TV that previously existed, but the reach can be supplemented elsewhere.
Apple News will certainly push the sport far harder than it currently does, and given there are an estimated 1.5 billion iPhone users globally, that’s a significant market to be in.
Apple will replace ESPN as Formula 1’s exclusive US broadcaster from 2026 in a deal worth around $700 million
By
Pablo Elizalde
Technology that was developed for the F1 movie could also make its way into the broadcast feed that is taken worldwide, and Apple TV is also a platform in itself that could extend its reach into other territories in future.
But the news was far from universally welcomed, with some fans complaining about the lack of choice that the move from ESPN offers.
No longer is F1 part of their existing cable package if they aren’t an Apple TV customer, and nor can they take a cheaper F1 TV product if required, with only those who subscribed to F1 TV Premium seeing a better value deal by signing up for Apple TV.
It’s certainly a gamble given the momentum F1 has in the United States, because it could either stall that progress somewhat, or provide a turbo boost by opening up new avenues.
Raising awareness
One of the notable side effects of the huge number of fans and sponsors that want to attend Austin is a real challenge when it comes to handling traffic. The endless police convoys on race morning showed just how many partners spend huge money activating around the race, in a sport that is generally awash with dollars.
Mark Stewart with Jackie Stewart’s helmet signed in Austin
But that money can also make its way to good causes, and two were prominent during the weekend at Circuit of the Americas.
Sir Jackie Stewart‘s Race Against Dementia charity launched an amazing campaign to offer fans a special experience alongside its mission to fund bold, high-impact research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia.
A replica of Stewart’s iconic helmet, signed by all 20 living world champions, is not the only part of the prize for entrants, either.
Behind Max Verstappen’s perfect 2025 United States GP weekend was a much-improved Red Bull, some rapid sim work, and a bit of strategic luck. But how much did Lando Norris’s ‘consequences’ play in McLaren’s defeat?
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Mark Hughes
A VIP trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – including flights, accommodation, and behind-the-scenes access – is on offer for entries priced at £25 at: win.raceagainstdementia.com.
A less well-known cause was also being championed by Alpine , which was supporting the Helen’s Pink Sky Foundation.
The foundation aims to raise a further $1 million to also fund ground-breaking research, raise awareness, and support families impacted by Batten Disease – a rare neurodegenerative disorder – following the diagnosis for Helen Born, the niece of Alpine partner Arctic Wolf’s CEO.
Branding on the A525 and team members wearing ‘Hope 4 Helen’ bracelets aimed to increase visibility of the campaign, with more info available at: www.hope4helen.org
Bearman’s recce laps
Ollie Bearman had a strong first visit to Circuit of the Americas as an F1 driver, and had some unusual prep on the Thursday prior to the event.
Bearman found Pirelli’s tyres are hard to destroy
Haas
Having done all of his work on the simulator, Bearman’s first laps were actually not in his Haas F1 car, but a Ferrari road car as part of the Pirelli Hot Laps programme.
Given the opportunity to do six laps with a brand new set of tyres on the Ferrari 296 GTB, Bearman had one goal: to destroy the rubber. Smoking brakes were the norm after his first few laps, before he was told he would need to cool them down a little on the next two, but that didn’t stop him taking almost every corner sideways.
Come the end of the run, Bearman jumped out of the car and got on all fours to inspect his work on the rear tyres, and was a little disappointed to find some tread left. It was hardly good prep – braking for Turn 12 250m before the corner rather than 100m – but it both left the rookie in a good mood heading into the weekend and set him up for a strong performance in F1 machinery.
