US Grand Prix 2026: Leclerc Leads Practice as COTA Bumps Anger Drivers

Formula 1 is back in Texas, and the opening day in Austin gave fans a little of everything: a resurgent Ferrari, a champion in waiting and a fresh fight over the state of the track. Here is what you need to know from the 2026 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.

New to the Austin weekend? Our guide to F1 races in the United States explains why COTA is many fans' favorite American race.

Leclerc Puts the Upgraded Ferrari on Top

Charles Leclerc set the pace in first practice, finishing just under a tenth of a second ahead of Max Verstappen. It was a strong start for Ferrari, which arrived in Austin with a big upgrade package: a new floor plus reshaped sidepods and bodywork designed to cut drag.

The drivers are keeping expectations in check. Both Leclerc and teammate Lewis Hamilton played down the upgrade before the session, and one practice run on a hot afternoon does not decide a race weekend. Still, Ferrari will take any sign of progress.

Verstappen arrives in form. He dominated the last race in Singapore, taking pole for both the sprint and the Grand Prix and winning both, and he is chasing a hat-trick of Grand Prix wins in Austin.

"Out of Control": The COTA Bumps Debate

The biggest talking point before the cars even ran was the track itself. Verstappen called the bumps at COTA "unacceptable" and "out of control," joking that he would need to "order a new spine." He said he was alarmed by a recent X-ray of his own back and warned that drivers risk long-term damage at venues this rough.

He is not alone:

• Lando Norris said the bumps are so bad that he takes headache tablets before driving.
• George Russell suggested F1 circuits should be resurfaced every couple of years.

The 2026 cars were meant to ride less harshly than the previous generation. You can read about what changed in our 2026 F1 regulations explainer.

Three Drivers Take Grid Penalties

Arvid Lindblad, Franco Colapinto and Gabriel Bortoleto will all start further back after exceeding their allowance of power unit components. That shakes up the starting order before qualifying even begins. To see how those penalties combine with the session that sets the grid, check out how F1 qualifying works and our guide to F1 flags and penalties.

Antonelli Can Clinch the Title in Texas

The headline story of the weekend may come on Sunday. Kimi Antonelli, the runaway championship leader, gets his first chance to become the youngest world champion in F1 history. The 20-year-old outscored his closest rivals, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, in Singapore, and he can settle the title in Austin if results elsewhere go his way.

Antonelli said he wants to "finish the job properly." The math depends on how many points remain, and our breakdown of the F1 points system shows how sprint and Grand Prix points add up over the final rounds.

Other Storylines From the Paddock

• Leclerc's family news. Leclerc and his wife Alexandra are expecting their first child, with the due date falling during the busy end of the season. He does not expect to miss any of the final six races.
• The fight for fifth. Racing Bulls lead Alpine by 32 points in the constructors' battle for P5, but Pierre Gasly and Colapinto believe Alpine can still close the gap.
• Hamilton's future. Hamilton hinted that he could stay in F1 long enough to race in Africa if a Grand Prix returns there.

Follow every session this weekend in our Formula 1 coverage.