The competition, however, has shown renewed strength in recent weeks. Max Verstappen has won the last two Grands Prix and will be targeting a third consecutive victory at one of his most successful circuits. Ferrari and McLaren will also be looking to challenge for podium places. With three consecutive race weekends ahead, finding the right car setup and managing tyre degradation could prove decisive.
Antonelli has his first chance to seal the championship
Eight victories from 17 races have put Antonelli in a commanding position. The Italian leads the drivers’ standings with 340 points, ahead of Russell (238), Lewis Hamilton (229), Verstappen (221), Charles Leclerc (215) and Lando Norris (201). Antonelli can secure the championship in Austin, but he needs to win the race and hope his closest rivals drop significant points. Russell must finish ninth or lower, while Hamilton cannot finish higher than fifth.
Mercedes also hold a comfortable lead in the constructors’ championship with 578 points, followed by Ferrari (444), McLaren (339) and Red Bull (332). Recent results suggest, however, that Mercedes will face stiff opposition. Verstappen has won the last two races, most recently in Singapore, where Leclerc finished second and Antonelli third. The Dutchman has already claimed four victories in Austin, most recently from pole position in 2025. Hamilton holds the record for the most United States Grand Prix victories with six.
Twenty corners and a steep climb: What makes Austin so demanding
The 5.513-kilometre circuit opened in 2012 and runs anti-clockwise. Its most striking feature is the steep climb from the start line towards Turn 1. The wide opening left-hander offers several possible racing lines and excellent overtaking opportunities, although the tight pack at the start also increases the risk of collisions.
A series of rapid changes of direction follows, reminiscent of Silverstone’s famous high-speed corners. The long back straight between Turns 11 and 12 provides another prime opportunity to attack. In the tighter section approaching the final sector, traction and patience become particularly important. Drivers who overwork their tyres here can lose valuable time when accelerating out of the slower corners.
The 2026 regulations add another dimension. Movable wings reduce drag on two straights, while the new Overtake Mode replaces traditional DRS and allows following drivers to access additional electrical power under certain conditions. Last year’s race featured 71 overtakes. Charles Leclerc holds the official lap record of 1:36.169, set in 2019.
Tyre strategy and weather: Could a one-stop race be on the cards?
Pirelli has selected the C2 (hard), C3 (medium) and C4 (soft) compounds for the weekend. Austin’s high-speed corners place considerable stress on the front tyres, while repeated acceleration out of slower sections tests the rears. The asphalt between Turns 9 and 11 has also been resurfaced, with the older sections potentially producing higher levels of tyre wear.
The hard C2 compound could make a one-stop strategy viable. However, temperatures of around 28 to 30 degrees Celsius may increase degradation and make additional pit stops more attractive. Current forecasts point to dry conditions throughout the weekend, with cloud cover expected to increase on Sunday.
Unlike the previous three seasons, Austin will not host a Sprint weekend in 2026. Three practice sessions will therefore give teams more time to assess long-run performance and tyre behaviour.
Schedule and outlook
- Friday, October 23: Free Practice 1 at 19:30, Free Practice 2 at 23:00.
- Saturday, October 24: Free Practice 3 at 19:30, Qualifying at 23:00.
- Sunday, October 25: Grand Prix starts at 21:00.
All times are for Austria and Central Europe. Clocks go back one hour overnight from Saturday to Sunday. The race will be contested over 56 laps.
The wide opening corner and long back straight offer plenty of overtaking opportunities, but tyre management could be just as influential as grid position. Finding the right balance between downforce through the fast corners and straight-line speed will be crucial.
Verstappen arrives in Texas on the back of two consecutive victories at a circuit where he has already won four times. Antonelli, meanwhile, could leave Austin as Formula 1 world champion, provided he wins and the results of his closest challengers fall his way.
