Formula 1 headed Stateside for one of the most anticipated weekends on the calendar, as the 2026 F1 World Championship rolled into Austin, Texas, for the United States Grand Prix. After an extended run of races across Asia and a brief pause following the Singapore Grand Prix, the spotlight shifted to the Circuit of The Americas, where passionate fans, a festival-like atmosphere and one of the sport’s most exciting modern circuits set the stage for another action-packed chapter of the season.
Race Guide
Season: 2026 F1 World Championship
Race date: Sunday, 25 October 2026
Race start time: 15:00 local time
Circuit: Circuit of the Americas (COTA)
Laps: 56
Circuit length: 5.513km
2025 winner: Max Verstappen
| Pole position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | TBC | TBC | |
| Time | TBC | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver | TBC | TBC | |
| Time | TBC | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | TBC | TBC | |
| Second | TBC | TBC | |
| Third | TBC | TBC | |
Weekend Schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 23 October 2026 | Free Practice 1 (FP1) | 12:30 – 13:30 local time |
| 23 October 2026 | Free Practice 2 (FP2) | 16:00 – 17:00 local time |
| 24 October 2026 | Free Practice 3 (FP3) | 12:30 – 13:30 local time |
| 24 October 2026 | Qualifying | 16:00 – 17:00 local time |
| 25 October 2026 | Race | 15:00 local time |
COTA Stats & Facts
Since making its Formula 1 debut in 2012, the Circuit of The Americas has established itself as one of the standout modern venues on the calendar. The 5.513-kilometre (3.426-mile), 20-corner circuit runs anti-clockwise and combines dramatic elevation changes with sections inspired by some of the sport’s most famous tracks. From the steep uphill approach to Turn 1 to the rapid Esses reminiscent of Silverstone’s Maggotts and Becketts complex, COTA offers a demanding mix of high-speed corners, technical challenges and overtaking opportunities. Its sweeping Turns 16 to 18 also draw inspiration from Istanbul Park, helping make the Austin venue a favourite among drivers and fans alike.
See also…
The United States Grand Prix has a rich history dating back to 1908, before becoming part of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1959. The race has visited several iconic venues, including Watkins Glen, which hosted 20 consecutive editions between 1961 and 1980, and Indianapolis, where Rubens Barrichello beat Michael Schumacher by just 0.011 seconds in 2002. Bruce McLaren became F1’s youngest winner at the time with victory at Sebring in 1959, and head of the 2026 race Lewis Hamilton held the record for the most championship-era United States Grand Prix wins with six. Since taking over hosting duties in 2012, apart from the cancelled 2020 race, Austin has added its own memorable chapters to the event’s long history.
Championship background
The battle for the 2026 F1 World Championship arrived in Austin with Kimi Antonelli firmly in control of the title race, following a remarkable run of form that had put the Mercedes driver on the brink of making F1 history. After a demanding triple-header across Asia, the Italian headed into another sequence of three consecutive race weekends with a commanding 102-point advantage over team-mate George Russell. With the championship entering its closing stages, Antonelli now had an outside chance of securing his maiden world title at the United States Grand Prix, a prospect that would mark an extraordinary achievement for one of Formula 1’s brightest young talents.
Antonelli’s advantage had also been strengthened by an unexpected twist in the competitive order, with Max Verstappen and Red Bull claiming their first two victories of the season and taking valuable points away from his closest challengers. Mercedes remained in a formidable position in both championships, but the standings only told part of the story. The fight at the front had become increasingly unpredictable, with four leading teams now capable of challenging for victory on any given weekend. That shifting balance of power has added another layer of intrigue to the closing rounds, where even the smallest differences in performance, execution and strategy could have a major influence on the outcome.
While Antonelli’s pursuit of championship glory would inevitably dominate the headlines in Texas, there were several compelling storylines developing elsewhere on the grid. Verstappen arrived chasing a third consecutive victory as Red Bull looked to extend their late-season resurgence, while Lewis Hamilton would be determined to respond after a difficult Sunday at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, a race weekend that had looked promising for the seven-time champion.
Race entries
The lineup of drivers and teams remained the same as the 2026 season’s entry list, featuring no reserve drivers for the race.
Tyre choices
More to follow…
FIND OUT MORE
Free Practice
More to follow…
Free Practice 1 Classification
2026 United States Grand Prix FP1, 23 October 2026
Results to follow…
Free Practice 2 Classification
2026 United States Grand Prix FP2, 23 October 2026
Results to follow…
Free Practice 3 Classification
2026 United States Grand Prix FP3, 24 October 2026
Results to follow…
Qualifying
Full report post-session.
Full Qualifying Report
Qualifying Classification
2026 United States Grand Prix Qualifying, 24 October 2026
Results to follow…
What happened in the 2026 United States Grand Prix?
More to follow…
2026 United States Grand Prix race results
The 2026 United States Grand Prix Race was held on 25 October 2026 at 3:00 pm local time.
Results to follow…
2026 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings for Drivers’ and Teams after the 2026 United States Grand Prix.
2026 Post-Race F1 Drivers’ Championship Standings
Results to follow…
2026 Post-Race F1 Constructors’ Championship Standings
Results to follow…
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