Formula 1 arrives in US for this weekend's Grand Prix

By Can Erozden

Formula 1 fever is set to hit US this weekend as Round 19 of the 2024 season will be held in Austin, Texas on Sunday.

Red Bull Racing Honda's Dutch driver Max Verstappen, who won three consecutive F1 titles in 2021-2023, has 331 points this season to lead the driver standings with just six races remaining.

Verstappen took seven wins this season but he last won early this summer, on June 23 in Spain.

McLaren's British racer Lando Norris follows Verstappen in standings with 279 points, and Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc collected 245 points for third.

Norris bagged three victories during the 2024 campaign – Miami in May, the Netherlands in August, and Singapore in September, which was the previous round.

Leclerc was the winner of the Monaco and Italian Grands Prix.

The 2024 US Grand Prix will take place over 56 laps at the 5.513-kilometer (3.4-mile) Circuit of The Americas.

Formula 1 will stay in the Americas for the next four rounds; Austin, Mexico, Brazil, and Las Vegas.

With Round 23, the F1 will head to the Gulf states of Qatar on Dec. 1 and Abu Dhabi, the season finale, on Dec. 8.

- Top 5 drivers of 2024 F1 season before US Grand Prix

1. Max Verstappen (The Netherlands): 331 points

2. Lando Norris (Great Britain): 279

3. Charles Leclerc (Monaco): 245

4. Oscar Piastri (Australia): 237

5. Carlos Sainz (Spain): 190

- Constructor standings

1. McLaren: 516 points

2. Red Bull: 475

3. Ferrari: 441

4. Mercedes: 329

5. Aston Martin: 86