United States Grand Prix 2026 full schedule details
The Formula 1 World Championship heads to Austin for the United States Grand Prix 2026, setting the stage for a potentially historic weekend from October 23-25. All eyes will be on rookie sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has a mathematical chance to clinch the drivers’ world title at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) in what would be a stunning conclusion to his debut season.
The race marks the 18th round of the 2026 season, following Max Verstappen’s victory for Red Bull at the preceding Singapore Grand Prix. For American fans, the Austin event kicks off a triple-header of racing in the Americas, with the championship heading south for the Mexico City and Sao Paulo Grands Prix in the subsequent weeks.
Championship on the line for Antonelli
The primary storyline heading into the Austin weekend is the remarkable prospect of a rookie champion. After a third-place podium finish in Singapore, points leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli has built a formidable advantage in the standings. This gives him his first opportunity to secure the FIA Formula One World Championship, a feat that would send shockwaves through the paddock.
The pressure will be immense for the young Italian driver, who has been a revelation this season. His performance is reminiscent of the kind of new prospects that rise and redefine expectations in their sport.
To be crowned champion in Austin, Antonelli will need a specific combination of results to fall his way, putting him mathematically out of reach of his rivals with five races still remaining on the calendar.
Full schedule for the United States Grand Prix 2026
The weekend at COTA is packed with on-track action, not just from Formula 1 but also from key support series. The F1 Academy, Porsche Carrera Cup North America, and Masters Historic series will all hold sessions throughout the three-day event. All times listed are local Austin time (UTC-5).
Friday, October 23
The weekend kicks off with a busy day of practice sessions. Teams and drivers will use these initial runs to dial in their car setups for the unique challenges of the COTA circuit. The F1 Academy also holds its opening race of the weekend.
- 09:45 – 10:10: Masters Historic, Practice Session
- 11:00 – 12:00: FIA, F1 Car Presentation
- 12:30 – 13:30: FORMULA 1, FIRST PRACTICE SESSION
- 14:00 – 14:30: Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Practice Session
- 14:55 – 15:20: Masters Historic, Qualifying Session
- 16:00 – 17:00: FORMULA 1, SECOND PRACTICE SESSION
- 17:50 – 18:25: F1 ACADEMY, Opening Race (13 Laps)
Saturday, October 24
Saturday is all about single-lap pace, culminating in the crucial Formula 1 qualifying session in the afternoon. A strong qualifying performance is vital at COTA, and this session will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s main event. Support series will also hold their first races.
- 09:10 – 09:40: Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Qualifying Session
- 10:10 – 10:40: Masters Historic, First Race
- 12:30 – 13:30: FORMULA 1, THIRD PRACTICE SESSION
- 14:35 – 15:15: Porsche Carrera Cup North America, First Race
- 16:00 – 17:00: FORMULA 1, QUALIFYING SESSION
- 18:00 – 18:35: F1 ACADEMY, Reverse Grid Race (13 Laps)
Sunday, October 25
Race day begins with the final events for the support categories before building towards the main event. After the drivers’ parade and national anthem, the 2026 United States Grand Prix will get underway at 3:00 PM local time for 56 laps of thrilling action, followed by a concert from Alesso.
- 09:25 – 09:55: Masters Historic, Second Race
- 10:35 – 11:15: Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Second Race
- 12:00 – 12:30: F1 ACADEMY, Feature Race (13 Laps)
- 13:00 – 13:30: Formula 1, Drivers’ Parade
- 14:44 – 14:46: Formula 1, National Anthem
- 15:00 – 17:00: FORMULA 1, GRAND PRIX (56 LAPS)
COTA’s challenge and Verstappen’s hunt for history
The Circuit of the Americas has been the home of the USGP since its inaugural race in 2012, only missing a year in 2020 due to the global pandemic.
The 5.513km track is a fan and driver favorite, known for its elevation changes, particularly the steep climb into the blind Turn 1, and a mix of corners inspired by iconic sections of tracks like Silverstone and Suzuka.
Over the years, Lewis Hamilton has been the most dominant force at the track, securing five victories (2012, 2014-2017). However, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been closing in, winning the 2025 edition ahead of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
That victory brought Verstappen’s tally to four wins in Austin, and another victory this year would see him equal Hamilton’s record. The drive to break records for a lower order is a powerful motivator for any elite athlete.
The track has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the F1 calendar and a major economic engine for Austin. Since 2012, the event has reportedly generated over $10 billion in cumulative economic activity for Central Texas, with annual attendance figures exceeding 430,000 fans, making it one of the best-attended races of the year.
How to watch in the US and UK
Formula 1’s popularity in the United States has soared, thanks in large part to the Liberty Media-led strategy and the success of the Netflix series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive.” This growth has led to three US-based races and new broadcast deals.
As of 2026, Apple TV is the new home for F1 in the US, with coverage for Sunday’s race beginning at 2:50 p.m. ET, leading up to the 4 p.m. ET race start.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 remains the exclusive home for live coverage of every session. Subscribers can also stream the action via Sky Go. Channel 4 will continue to provide free-to-air highlights programmes for those without a subscription.
Achieving consistent success in motorsports is a long road, much like how Derrick Henry achieves 4000 rushing yards with multiple teams through sustained excellence, a quality F1 drivers know well.