The competition intensifies in F1's midfield with a $20 million battle.

      "The car is quicker but a bit more temperamental."

      Flavio Briatore mentioned that Alpine has started to disregard whether it finishes eighth or last - but for four other teams, millions are still at stake. "If there had been a chance for sixth place, as there was last year, it would have made sense to introduce another upgrade," the Alpine consultant told Auto Motor und Sport. "However, if it’s between eighth and tenth, it’s better to focus all your efforts on next year," Briatore continued.

      This candid acknowledgment highlights the division in the latter half of the Constructors’ Championship, where Racing Bulls, Aston Martin, Sauber, and Haas are engaged in what journalist Michael Schmidt refers to as a "million-dollar four-way battle." Only 24 points separate the four teams between sixth and ninth, representing a roughly $20 million difference in prize money.

      Schmidt pointed out that while Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari are taking a more cautious approach at the top, "the real action is happening in the midfield," where a single upgrade or pit stop can translate to significant financial gains. Haas arrived in Austin equipped with a new floor and modified rear brake ducts that generated additional downforce. "The car is quicker but a bit more sensitive," stated team principal Ayao Komatsu. "Esteban is the type of driver who fine-tunes the car to his liking before pushing hard. Ollie isn't as attuned - he just keeps driving. That's why he tends to have more incidents."

      Rookie Oliver Bearman expressed confidence in the changes, stating, "The car's dynamics have changed. It's faster, but we need more time to adjust." Haas secured two points for their efforts, which Komatsu praised as evidence that "we can enhance the car's speed - and that boosts everyone's confidence for 2026."

      Sauber's sporting director Inaki Rueda noted that the Swiss car and the Aston Martin share significant similarities, "both prefer the same kind of circuit." Regarding Williams, with five races and two sprints remaining, they appear to be firmly in fifth place, but behind them, the race remains open. "Every detail is now even more crucial," Schmidt remarked, "since the difference between sixth and ninth could determine who receives the lucrative payout."