Austin practice underway: Antonelli leads field onto COTA track

Engines roar at Circuit of the Americas

The United States Grand Prix weekend shifted into gear on Friday, 23 October, as twenty cars rolled out for Free Practice 1 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Under bright autumn skies and track temperatures pushing 35 degrees Celsius, teams dedicated the opening 60-minute session to aerodynamic validation across the uphill Turn 1 hairpin and the rapid direction changes through sectors one and two. A second practice session scheduled for 16:00 local time will focus on longer race simulations on medium and hard compounds.

Mercedes sensation Kimi Antonelli enters the weekend with 340 points, holding a 102-point lead over teammate George Russell (238). With six rounds remaining in the 2026 campaign, Austin represents Antonelli’s first mathematical opportunity to clinch the drivers’ championship, should results fall in his favor across the American weekend.

Constructors’ title race intensifies

Mercedes also hold a commanding 578-point total in the constructors’ championship, sitting 134 points clear of Ferrari (444). Red Bull occupy third place on 379 points following Max Verstappen’s commanding win from pole in Singapore, while McLaren follow with 361. Drivers and engineers spent Friday testing ride heights across COTA’s resurfaced asphalt sections, gathering critical tire wear data ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s 56-lap Grand Prix.