NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2026 United States Grand Prix

The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend as Austin hosts Round 18 on the calendar, the United States Grand Prix.

Free Practice 1 and 2 will take place on Friday, October 23, followed by Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday, October 24, and the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, October 25.

Vital statistics

• First Grand Prix – 1959 (Sebring)
• Track Length – 5.513km
• Lap record – 1m 36.169s, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2019
• Most pole positions – Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (4)
• Most wins – Lewis Hamilton (6)
• Trivia – In 2022, Austin set a then F1 record with a three-day attendance of around 440,000 fans
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 230 metres
• Overtakes completed in 2025 – 71
• Safety Car probability – 29%*
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 43%*
• Pit stop time loss – 19.90 seconds

*From the last seven races in Austin

The driver’s verdict

Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: The Circuit of The Americas is a great track that takes inspiration from parts of other legendary corners on the calendar.

The uphill Turn 1 is difficult at the race start as there are loads of different lines that can be taken, then you sweep through the first sector, which is a bit like Silverstone, where you’re trying to find your rhythm.

After that, it’s the long back straight and you’ve got to get your braking point right at the end of it…

Probably the hardest section on the circuit is Turn 13 through to Turn 15, which feels like an odd complex of corners behind the wheel. Turn 13 is conventional, but finding your line through to 15 is not easy, while that Turn 14 area puts a lot of load on the tyres.

You go through the quadruple right-hander after that, followed by Turn 19, which is a really nice corner – though track limits are an issue.

Finally, you stop for Turn 20, then it’s a short burst to the line, but drivers need to be careful not to light things up as it’s easy to break traction.

Last five United States GP polesitters

• 2025 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2024 – Lando Norris (McLaren)
• 2023 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• 2022 – Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
• 2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Last five United States GP winners

• 2025 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2024 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2022 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• 2021 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

Tyre and strategy insight

“The Austin circuit, which is 5.513 kilometres long, features a mix of high-speed corners, rapid direction changes and slower sections that demand strong traction,” reads Pirelli’s weekend preview, with the tyre selection for the event seeing the C2 used as the hard, the C3 as the medium and the C4 as the soft.

“To be competitive, teams must combine good straight-line speed with efficient aerodynamic load through the more technical sections, an aspect that becomes even more important with the current generation of Formula 1 cars.

“From a tyre perspective, COTA places demands on both axles. In the first sector, characterised by fast corners and direction changes inspired by some of Europe’s great circuits, the front tyres will be placed under particular stress. In the third sector, meanwhile, the numerous acceleration zones out of slow corners will tend to generate thermal degradation primarily on the rear tyres.

“The asphalt surface is not particularly abrasive. A section of the circuit between Turns 9 and 11 was resurfaced earlier this year. However, the ageing effect on the remainder of the track continues to be significant and contributes to high wear levels. Tyre wear, rather than graining, could therefore prove to be one of the key factors over the weekend. During last year's event, several tyres reached very high wear values.

“Track grip is generally good, aided by the support categories, including the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, which has been supplied by Pirelli since the start of this year. Track evolution, on the other hand, has traditionally not been among the most pronounced on the calendar.

“From a strategic standpoint, the presence of the C2 as the hard compound could favour long stints, offering teams a solid option for what is likely to be a one-stop race. However, the high temperatures that typically characterise the Texan weekend must also be taken into account, as they could increase degradation and open the door to alternative strategies.”

Current form

As has been the case since Round 3 in Japan, Kimi Antonelli remains at the top of the drivers’ standings – but this weekend marks the first in which the Italian has a mathematical chance of sealing his maiden title.

For this to happen, Antonelli would need to win the race with Mercedes team mate George Russell finishing ninth or lower and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton placing no higher than fifth. Can the 20-year-old become the youngest-ever World Champion in Austin?

While Antonelli and the Silver Arrows continue to head the standings, it is Max Verstappen and Red Bull who have been leading the way on track at the last two rounds, the Dutchman scoring back-to-back victories in Malaysia and Singapore.

Verstappen holds a strong record at the Circuit of The Americas, having triumphed in four of F1’s last five visits to the track – and the four-time World Champion will doubtless be keen to add to that run.

Elsewhere, McLaren will be hoping for a stronger weekend after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s clash in the Singapore Sprint, while Ferrari also experienced mixed fortunes in Marina Bay, with Charles Leclerc securing a podium result as Hamilton slipped backwards following a backfired strategy.

Behind them, Racing Bulls have further strengthened their hold on P5 in the midfield battle – now holding an advantage of 32 points over sixth-placed Alpine – while Haas arrive into the event days after confirming that rookie Rafael Camara will join the team in 2027.

Iconic moment

The inaugural Austin race back in 2012 was an exhilarating watch, with Lewis Hamilton chasing down Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel in his McLaren.

After Vettel lost momentum behind a backmarker, Hamilton sensed his opportunity to pounce for the lead – and the Briton duly took his chance.

Watch the action as it unfolded in the video player below...