In Pictures: United States 2026
Austin opened the triple-header in the Americas, which also includes races in Mexico City and São Paulo. The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas is also the second of three races held in the United States this season, with the final American round of the year set to take place in Las Vegas.
Compared with 2025, the weekend returned to the traditional format without a Sprint. The most recent Sprint race took place in Singapore. Teams therefore had three free practice sessions to work on car balance and optimize their setups at a circuit that does not demand particularly extreme compromises.
The Austin circuit, which is 5.513 kilometers (3.426 miles) long, features a mix of high-speed corners, rapid changes of direction and slower sections that demand strong traction. To be competitive, teams must combine good straight-line speed with efficient aerodynamic performance through the more technical sections, an aspect that becomes even more important with the current generation of Formula 1 cars.
The asphalt surface is not particularly abrasive. A section of the circuit between Turns 9 and 11 was resurfaced earlier this year. However, the aging surface across the remainder of the track continues to contribute to high levels of wear.
FRIDAY
Charles Leclerc set the pace on Friday at the United States Grand Prix, with the Ferrari driver topping the timesheets in both practice sessions at the Circuit of The Americas in Texas.
Earlier in the day, Leclerc had already led FP1 with a time of 1:36.052. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris followed in second and third, respectively. Track temperatures reached 43°C (109°F) in the afternoon, while ambient temperatures were around 32°C (90°F).
In FP2, Leclerc posted the fastest time of 1:35.291 on the Soft C4 compound. He was followed by Kimi Antonelli, who clocked a 1:35.333, while four-time World Champion Max Verstappen was third with a 1:35.480. All three drivers set their fastest times on the Soft tire.
Friday also saw a staggering 207 lap times deleted: 79 in FP1 and 128 in FP2.
SATURDAY
Kimi Antonelli edged out both Red Bulls to take pole position for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas. The championship leader secured the fastest time in qualifying with a lap of 1:34.035. Max Verstappen finished second with a 1:34.214, while his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar qualified third with a 1:34.250.
Earlier, in the third free practice session, Lewis Hamilton set the benchmark with a time of 1:34.893. Verstappen was second in 1:35.061, with Charles Leclerc third in 1:35.127. The Monegasque driver set his best lap on the Medium compound, unlike Hamilton and Verstappen, who both recorded their quickest times on the Soft tire.
SUNDAY
Kimi Antonelli claimed victory in the United States Grand Prix, moving a step closer to securing his first World Championship title. The Mercedes driver controlled the race at COTA, keeping Charles Leclerc at a manageable distance throughout. The Ferrari driver finished second, ahead of Max Verstappen, who completed the podium in third.
The race developed into a fascinating strategic battle. Antonelli opted for a one-stop strategy, while Leclerc and Verstappen both made two pit stops. The Italian started on the Medium compound before switching to the Hard tire during his sole stop of the afternoon.
Leclerc began the race on Soft tires, switched to the Medium compound and then finished on the Hard. Verstappen also started on Soft tires, fitted a fresh set of the same compound for his second stint, and then switched to the Medium at his final pit stop.
Antonelli further strengthened his lead in the Drivers' Championship and will have another opportunity to secure his maiden world title at the Mexican Grand Prix. The championship leader now has 365 points, giving him a commanding 123-point advantage over second-placed George Russell, who has 242. Lewis Hamilton sits third in the standings with 241 points.
Temperatures were slightly lower than during Friday's and Saturday's afternoon sessions in Austin, with track temperatures falling to 32°C (90°F) in the closing stages of the race.
Charles Leclerc was voted Driver of the Day by fans on F1.com.
Media courtesy of Pirelli S.p.A., Getty Images, DPPI, and the official Formula 1 team press offices. All images are provided via Getty Images through the respective team media platforms and are credited to their rightful copyright holders. Photos not for sale.
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY - 2026 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX
2026 United States Grand Prix Classification
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