F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Haas tweaks VF-25 livery for US Grand Prix at COTA

Haas has showcased the special livery for this year’s United States Grand Prix, continuing with its tradition of running one-off schemes at the Circuit of the Americas.

Formula 1 sets up shop in Austin this week for round 19 of the 2025 F1World Championship. The popular venue has hosted the US GP since 2012 when the sport rolled into the purpose-built COTA facility located on the outskirts of Austin.

The vibrant city’s status as a beloved destination is heightened for drivers by COTA’s layout, with its distinct sections and challenges.

The tracks showpiece is Turn 1, named Big Red, which rises steeply and invites different racing lines, before the circuit plunges into a sequence of high-speed esses reminiscent of famed sections from Silverstone and Suzuka.

The lengthy back straight provides the best overtaking opportunity, into Turn 12, while another iconic complex is the triple-apex right-hand Turns 16/17/18, which takes drivers past the distinctive COTA Tower.

©Haas

For the third successive season, next weekend’s event will host an F1 Sprint, meaning there is just one practice session on Friday ahead of Sprint Qualifying and the Sprint Race, which is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

A Busy Week for Haas, a First for Bearman

“We’re very excited for the United States Grand Prix, COTA always feels like home,” commented Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.

“It’s a busy week with a lot of activities, but with the added fact that it’s a Sprint, you’re running off adrenaline the entire weekend.

“It was great to get back scoring points in Singapore with Ollie, and here in COTA we’re really looking to get both drivers into point scoring positions.

“We’re bringing a small upgrade package here, but since it’s a Sprint weekend, we will only have FP1 to evaluate it, so it’s even more crucial that we hit the ground running. We’re very much looking forward to the challenge!”

While Esteban Ocon has contested seven Grands Prix at COTA, taking a best finish of sixth in 2017 with Force India, Oliver Bearman will enjoy his first experience of the US GP.

“This will be my first US Grand Prix as a MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driver, so I know it’s going to be full on, but it’s so nice to soak in the atmosphere and passion from all the American fans,” said the 20 year-old Briton.

“Sharing a mutual passion and love for this team and sport, COTA will be a highlight of this season for sure.”

Read also: Ocon recounts his most violent F1 crash – and shocking aftermath

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Michael Delaney

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