Here we are at the 18th Grand Prix weekend of the 2026 season, and the Formula 1 circus is rolling into Austin for the United States Grand Prix. Teams and drivers are about to tackle the captivating challenge of the Circuit of The Americas, a venue that has packed plenty of character since opening in October 2012, when none other than the 1978 World Champion Mario Andretti completed the maiden lap in his title-winning Lotus 79.
Max Verstappen arrives in Texas fresh off taking Red Bull to new heights by finally winning the Singapore Grand Prix on his 10th attempt, a result that lifted him to P4 in the Drivers’ Championship. That comeback might not be enough to topple Kimi Antonelli, who currently commands a massive lead of 102 points and could theoretically clinch the title right here in Austin. But once the Dutchman gets into a rhythm, he is a brutal machine to beat.
Track action at COTA kicks off with Free Practice 1 at 1230 local time on Friday, 23 October, followed immediately by Free Practice 2 at 1600. A final hour of practice gets underway at 1230 on Saturday, 24 October, with Qualifying firing up at 1600. The Grand Prix itself takes place at 1500 on Sunday, 25 October. Over the weekend, temperatures in Austin are expected to peak at a warm 28 Celsius alongside a very low likelihood of rain.
Fans looking to catch every moment can tune into F1 TV Pro for live coverage of every session across selected countries, complete with onboard cameras on all 22 of the drivers’ cars and ad-free commentary in six languages. For those wanting the ultimate setup, F1 TV Premium delivers races in 4K Ultra HD/HDR on up to six devices with a personalised Multiview feature offering 26 different feeds, alongside live timing on F1.com and the F1 app.
There is more than just F1 on the bill, as F1 ACADEMY returns to COTA after a two-month break for the penultimate round of the season. Red Bull's Alisha Palmowski is looking to further extend her lead at the top of the standings across a three-race format featuring an Opening Race, Reverse Grid Race, and Feature Race. Practice begins on Thursday, 22 October at 1225 before Qualifying at 1630, leading into the Opening Race on Friday at 1750, the Reverse Grid Race on Saturday at 1800, and the Feature Race rounding out the weekend at 1200 on Sunday, 25 October.
