F1 US GP 2021: practice, qualifying, schedule, UK start time, how to watch on TV - NBA Partnership

The 17th race of the season will see Hamilton and Verstappen continue their relentless fight for the Championship which is still very much in the air.

Lewis Hamilton started the sixteenth race at the Turkish Grand Prix in eleventh place having been forced to take a 10-place engine related penalty. By lap 11, Hamilton had made his way up to the top five.

While his fellow drivers took the decision to pit, Hamilton climbed up the leaderboard hoping to cling on to his third place spot he had gained thanks to Leclerc’s decision to initially forego a pit stop only to have to come in for new inters on the 48th lap.

The Briton tried to make it to the end on his starting tyre, however the looming clouds said otherwise and he finally boxed on lap 51 which ultimately sent him back down to fifth place.

While Hamilton took the fifth spot, Max Verstappen came second and once again took the lead in their battle for the Championship. The title lead has swapped hands four times in the last six Grand Prixs but Verstappen currently has a six point lead over his Mercedes rival.

Carlos Sainz took the driver of the day award in Istanbul as he rose 11 spots throughout his race. The Spaniard started in 19th place due to an engine penalty but ended the day in eighth place.

Since announcing his move to Alfa Romeo, Bottas has earned the most points out of any driver. He has earned himself 51 points while Verstappen and Hamilton have scored 36 and 35 respectively.

Formula 1 and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have also announced a unique partnership that will bring together the two international fanbases in order to celebrate and commemorate the 75th anniversary of the NBA league.

Here is all you need to know about the seventeenth Grand Prix of the 2021 Season and the partnership with the NBA

When is the next Formula 1 Grand Prix ?

The Formula 1 returns this weekend from Friday 22 October 2021 to Sunday 24 October 2021.

Practice sessions 1 and 2 will take place on Friday 22 October 2021, Practice 3 and Qualifying will be held on Saturday 23 October 2021 and the race will be on Sunday 24 October 2021.

Where is the next Formula 1?

The 17th F1 will be held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas

What time will the USA Formula 1 start?

Friday 22 October 2021:

• Practice Session 1 will be from 5.30pm-6.30pm BST
• Practice Session 2 will be from 9pm-10pm BST

Saturday 23 October 2021:

• Practice Session 3 will be from 7pm-8pm BST
• Qualifying will be from 10pm-11pm BST

Sunday 24 October 2021:

• The Race will start at 8pm BST

How to watch the USA Formula 1 on TV

The USA Formula 1 will be available to watch on the Sky Sports F1 channel and is available to live stream through the F1 website and NOW TV.

Live streaming the F1 TV costs £2.29/month or £19.99/year.

Sky Sports will begin live coverage of the race at 6.30pm BST on the Sunday with all other coverage beginning 30 minutes before each event.

Who is likely to win USA GP 2021?

Since the USA moved their Grand Prix to Austin, Mercedes have only lost two of the races. In 2013 Sebastian Vettal won the race with Red Bull-Renault and in 2018 Kimi Raikkonen took first place with Ferrari. However Lewis Hamilton has won in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 and Bottas took the 2019 win for Mercedes.

Not only does history suggest that Mercedes is the most likely contender for first place in Texas on Sunday, but their recent form also gives them the edge over Red Bull or other constructors.

However, this season in F1 has shown more than anything that anything is possible with any driver a potential winner.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Turkey, Toto Wolff said “Austin is a track we like and is another opportunity but I’m under no illusion this is very much going to go to the end in the championship.”

NBA 75: Promotion Partnership

The NBA and Formula 1 announced a first-of-its kind content and promotion partnership which will bring together the fanbases of both Sports to celebrate the NBA’s 75th anniversary season and the return of F1 to the US.

Exclusive imagery featuring Formula 1 cars in custom liveries representing all 30 NBA teams will be posted on NBA and F1 social channels around the world and the first 10 cars showcasing the Central and Pacific Divisions will be unveiled on Thursday 21 October 2021.

ESPN will host F1 drivers as they compete in a free throw challenge at an NBA 75 themed basketball half-court within the Circuit of the Americas paddock. Basketball legends will be present and will meet the drivers, providing shooting tips to make the most free throws out of 10. The winner will win $20,000 which will be donated to a charity of the winner’s choice.

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