Leclerc Leads FP1 at F1 United States Grand Prix

Formula 1 is set to make its return to the Western Hemisphere, initiating a five-week journey across the Americas with the United States Grand Prix taking place this weekend near Austin, Texas.

The race at Circuit of the Americas on Sunday represents the 18th event of the F1 world championship, and the 20-year-old points leader Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes is in a position where he might become the youngest champion ever in the sport’s history — pending global circumstances that could lead to the cancellation of subsequent rounds.

Antonelli enjoys a 102-point advantage over his Mercedes teammate George Russell and a 111-point edge over Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton. If Antonelli secures victory, along with Russell finishing ninth or lower and Hamilton in fifth place or worse, the Italian driver will clinch the championship title.

While Mercedes (578 points) and Ferrari (444) are firmly established in first and second place in the constructors’ standings, the competition for third place is heating up between McLaren (339) and the revitalized Red Bull (332) team, with as many as six races still to come.

You can watch practice sessions and qualifying via Yahoo Sports and tune in for Sunday’s race on Apple TV.

Here’s some additional information to note before the 2026 United States Grand Prix:

How to view the United States Grand Prix

All times are in Eastern Time

Friday, Oct. 23
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Free practice 1 (Yahoo Sports, Apple TV+, F1 TV Pro)
5-6 p.m.: Free practice 2 (Yahoo Sports, Apple TV+, F1 TV Pro)

Saturday, Oct. 24
1:30-2:30 p.m.: Free practice 3 (Yahoo Sports, Apple TV+, F1 TV Pro)
5-6 p.m.: Qualifying (Yahoo Sports, Apple TV+, F1 TV Pro)

Sunday, Oct. 25
4-6 p.m.: United States Grand Prix (Apple TV+, F1 TV Pro)

Timing charts for FP1

1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari 1:36.052

2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing +0.084

3. Lando Norris, McLaren +0.245

4. George Russell, Mercedes +0.326

5. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes +0.481

6. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari +0.503

7. Oscar Piastri, McLaren +0.734

8. Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi +0.943

9. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls +1.011

10. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls +1.257

11. Oliver Bearman, Haas +1.613

12. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +1.636

13. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin +1.731

14. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing +1.738

15. Pierre Gasly, Alpine +1.749

16. Esteban Ocon, Haas +1.844

17. Franco Colapinto, Alpine +2.069

18. Nico Hülkenberg, Audi +2.070

19. Carlos Sainz, Williams +2.794

20. Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac +3.001

21. Colton Herta, Cadillac +3.927

22. Alex Albon, Williams +40.416

Details on the United States Grand Prix

Track: Circuit of the Americas, a 3.452-mile, 20-turn permanent racing circuit located in Elroy, Texas
Race distance: 56 laps covering 191 miles
Lap record: Charles Leclerc, 1:36.369 (2019, Ferrari)
Tire compounds: C2 (Hard), C3 (Medium), C4 (Soft)
2025 champion: Max Verstappen, Red Bull-RBPT

Winners at the Circuit of the Americas

Leading Drivers and Best Odds for the United States Grand Prix

Verstappen, who has triumphed in four of the past five races at the Circuit of the Americas and has also secured pole position twice, is considered the front-runner for Sunday’s grand prix with odds set at +110. Meanwhile, the championship front-runner Antonelli enters the weekend with odds of +225. Other notable drivers such as Russell, Norris, and Ferrari’s duo of Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are also in contention, holding the next best odds at a distant 10-to-1.

Winner’s Odds

Weather for the United States Grand Prix

The weather forecast for the weekend around Austin indicates warm and dry conditions, as reported by Yahoo Weather. Friday is expected to be the warmest day with temperatures peaking at 86 degrees and ample sunshine during the first two practice sessions. The conditions for FP3 and qualifying on Saturday are anticipated to be similar, while Sunday will bring slightly overcast skies with high temperatures in the low 80s.