Sainz driving the Williams car at COTA - Photo: Race Pictures

Strategy will be key at U.S GP: These are the team's options in COTA

16:43, 19 Oct

Updated: 16:45, 19 Oct

byNorberto Mujica

Pirelli has disclosed what they expect the United States Grand Prix will bring in terms of tyre performance and the strategic role the Italian manufacturer's rubber will play throughout the race.

According to Pirelli the difference between starting on the soft and the medium tyres is not that big, whereas the hard tyre, does come with considerable risk, as the Italian manufacturer judges it will be the least effective at lights out.

Pirelli discloses what they estimate will be the available grip at the start per tyre compound. Photo: Pirelli.

U.S GP strategies revealed by Pirelli

For Pirelli there are four potential options for teams to tackle the 56-lap race around the Circuit of the Americas in the scorching Texas soil.

Two one-stop strategies are outlined, with both seeing drivers start on mediums to then make a switch onto the hard tyres or the softs.

Two-stoppers are also on the table. Both strategies see teams starting on the soft compound tyres, before making to switch mediums, and either switching back to softs or continuing with mediums for the final stint.

These are the quickest strategies at COTA as per Pirelli's estimations. Photo: Pirelli.

These are the tyre compounds that are available to the drivers ahead of the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

These are the drivers' available tyre compounds for the United States Grand Prix according to Pirelli. Photo: Pirelli.

Verstappen starts from pole as McLaren struggles

Starting from pole, and having won the sprint already, Verstappen took his Saturday afternoon success with humour, stating that his presence ahead of the McLarens was "nice" for everyone. Not necessarily for McLaren, but for everyone else.

Meanwhile, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella conceded that he expected Red Bull Racing to have the quickest car in all the remaining races in the 2025 Formula One season.

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