Austin media day: one day remains until Friday practice
Drivers face the press at COTA. Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 102 points.
Media day in Texas
The Formula 1 paddock sprang to life on Thursday, 22 October, at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Drivers fulfilled official FIA media obligations and completed engineering walk-throughs in warm, sunny conditions across the 5.513 km track. On-track competition begins Friday with Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying, followed by Saturday’s Sprint and main qualifying, culminating in the 56-lap Grand Prix on Sunday, 25 October, at 15:00 local time.
No practice times or competitive laps have been logged on Thursday. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli commands the drivers’ championship with 340 points, holding a 102-point lead over teammate George Russell on 238. Lewis Hamilton sits third on 229, followed by Singapore winner Max Verstappen on 221, Charles Leclerc on 215 and Lando Norris on 201.
Mercedes command constructors’ battle
In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes enjoy a 134-point advantage over Ferrari, 578 to 444, with McLaren in third at 339. As the sport embarks on its American triple-header spanning Austin, Mexico City and Sao Paulo, the United States Grand Prix represents Antonelli’s first theoretical opportunity to wrap up the world championship if results fall decisively in his favor. Six rounds remain on the 2026 schedule.
Sources
Every score and ranking on this page is locked to a named source. If it is not here, it is not on the page.