Emirates News Agency reported that the FIA Formula One United States Grand Prix gets underway in Austin, with the first practice sessions opening the weekend at the Circuit of the Americas on October 23, 2026. The event is the 18th round of the 23-race calendar and the start of a triple header across the Americas. Teams and drivers have converged on the 5.513-kilometre track that combines high-speed sections with technical corners.
According to Reuters, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads his teammate George Russell by 102 points in the championship and has his first opportunity to clinch the title this weekend. The 20-year-old could become Formula One’s youngest champion. Specific results in Austin would secure the crown for the Italian.
Sky Sports reported that McLaren arrives with additional car upgrades after recent performances fell short of the team’s expectations in the constructors’ battle with Red Bull. The update is aimed at improving performance on a circuit that should suit the current car better. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be seeking strong results across the weekend.
A technical brief from the Williams team highlighted the challenges of the Austin track, including significant elevation changes and the need for precise energy deployment through the high-speed turns. Pirelli has supplied the C2, C3 and C4 compounds, which are expected to see the soft tyre used extensively. Race strategy is predicted to favour either a one-stop or two-stop approach.
The Race reported that Mercedes has postponed its engine upgrade originally planned for this event, delaying it by at least two races. Max Verstappen has also raised concerns about the track bumps, which have been only partially addressed by resurfacing. The Dutch driver fears greater spinal damage for competitors if such issues persist.
Circuit of the Americas has consistently drawn massive crowds, with F1 Chronicle placing attendance at around 430,000 for the 2024 edition. Officials have expressed ambitions to reach 500,000 in coming years through improved infrastructure. The venue has played a key role in growing Formula One’s popularity in the United States since it first hosted the race in 2012.