F1 United States GP: Leclerc beats Verstappen to top FP1 in upgraded Ferrari

Ferrari. Ferrari: What Happened

Autosport reported on Friday, October 23, 2026 in a story involving Ferrari. Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc. Here is how the report opens:

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc pipped Red Bull's Max Verstappen to top first practice at Formula 1's United States Grand Prix in Austin. Leclerc was just under a tenth faster than Verstappen in an upgraded Ferrari as he aims to deny the Dutchman and his in-form Red Bull team a hat-track of grand prix wins. On a hot Circuit of the Americas, Ferrari hit the ground running as it trialled its…

It is one of many Formula 1 stories we are following today, and 2 outlets are covering it. Below are the key takeaways, how the story is being reported across the sport, background on Max Verstappen and what to watch next.

Key Takeaways

• The story: F1 United States GP: Leclerc beats Verstappen to top FP1 in upgraded Ferrari
• Who’s involved: Ferrari. Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Red Bull
• League: Formula 1
• First reported: Friday, October 23, 2026 by Autosport
• Coverage: 2 outlets are covering it: Autosport and Formula1.com
• Trending: No. 4 on the ForTheFans trending list right now

How Other Outlets Are Covering It

The same F1 story, as reported by another outlet:

• What the teams said – Race day in the United StatesFormula1.com The drivers and teams report back on all the action from race day at the Circuit of The Americas for the United States Grand Prix.
• All the key moments from the 2026 United States Grand PrixFormula1.com The Circuit of The Americas put on another show as Kimi Antonelli beat Charles Leclerc to bring the Drivers' Championship within his reach.
• How ‘everything went wrong’ for Red Bull in United States GPFormula1.com Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar were left frustrated after they were held back by problems for Red Bull at the United States Grand Prix.
• Russell at a loss to explain United States GP strugglesFormula1.com George Russell was left searching for answers as a lack of pace, as well as a five-second penalty, saw him settle for an eighth-placed result.
• Antonelli surges to dominant victory in United States GPFormula1.com Kimi Antonelli may not have secured the Drivers' Championship in Austin, but a commanding performance earned him victory over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
• Alonso criticises quality of F1 backmarkers after Albon clash at United States GPAutosport Fernando Alonso let rip at Williams' Alex Albon after contact between their cars on the opening lap of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. It cost the Aston Martin driver four places in Austin and left him with…

Background: Max Verstappen

Max Emilian Verstappen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɑks fɛrˈstɑpə(n)]; born 30 September 1997) is a Dutch and Belgian racing driver who competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. Verstappen has won four Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles, which he won consecutively from 2021 to 2024 with Red Bull, and has won 73 Grands Prix across 12 seasons.

Text from Wikipedia’s Max Verstappen article, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What’s Next for Ferrari. Ferrari

For fans following Ferrari. Ferrari, the next things to watch are the race results, qualifying, driver standings and constructors’ championship. Stories like this one tend to move quickly, so check back for follow-up reports and reaction as more outlets pick it up.

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