F1 United States GP: Leclerc pips Antonelli to top FP2 while McLaren struggles

Charles Leclerc: What Happened

Autosport reported on Friday, October 23, 2026 in a story involving Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli, McLaren. Here is how the report opens:

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has led the way in Friday practice for Formula 1's United States Grand Prix, narrowly beating Kimi Antonelli to the top spot in Austin as McLaren struggled for grip. Leclerc set a 1m35.291s just before the halfway mark of Friday afternoon's second practice session on Austin's demanding Circuit of the Americas, pipping Max Verstappen's initial benchmark as Antonelli…

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 Charles Leclerc and what to watch next.

Key Takeaways

• The story: F1 United States GP: Leclerc pips Antonelli to top FP2 while McLaren struggles
• Who’s involved: Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli, McLaren and Austin
• 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: Charles Leclerc

Charles Marc Hervé Perceval Leclerc (French pronunciation: [ʃaʁl(ə) ləklɛʁ]; born 16 October 1997) is a Monégasque racing driver who competes in Formula One for Ferrari. Leclerc was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 2022 with Ferrari, and has won nine Grands Prix across nine seasons.

Text from Wikipedia’s Charles Leclerc article, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What’s Next for Charles Leclerc

For fans following Charles Leclerc, 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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