Turn 1 drama, Ferrari in the hunt and McLaren facing the unknown – What To Watch For in the United States GP

From Max Verstappen taking further points out of the McLarens to a first corner that seems to attract drama, and from Ferrari in the fight to repeat last year’s victory to track limit violations that can impact the final result, here are five things to keep an eye on when Sunday’s race gets underway in front of a huge crowd in Austin…

1. Verstappen’s growing presence in the title fight

Go back to the final race of the European season in Monza, and Max Verstappen was no longer a consideration in the championship equation.

The Dutchman had just finished second in his home Grand Prix but was some 104 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, and the performance of the Red Bull was not comparable to the McLaren.