Leclerc Leads Austin Practice as Ferrari Upgrade Shows Early Promise

Key points

• Leclerc topped both practice sessions, with a best time of 1:36.052 in FP1, 0.042s ahead of Kimi Antonelli in FP2.
• Ferrari introduced a new floor, sidepod, and diffuser upgrade, which Leclerc described as a 'small step forward' with good balance.
• Max Verstappen was third fastest in FP1 but appeared fastest on race-simulation runs, suggesting strong race pace.
• Kimi Antonelli can win the 2026 world title if he wins the race and George Russell finishes below eighth and Lewis Hamilton below fourth.
• Lewis Hamilton was sixth fastest in FP1, 0.503s off the pace, and appeared to struggle for consistency compared to Leclerc.
• Lando Norris was seventh fastest in FP2 but did not set a time on his qualifying simulation run after a mistake at Turn 16.

Background

The US Grand Prix is the first leg of a three-race end-of-season triple header. The previous race in Malaysia featured track surface issues, but Austin's Circuit of the Americas has its own challenges, with Leclerc noting the first sector is 'particularly poor and very bumpy.' The championship battle is tight, with Antonelli leading by 102 points over Russell.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and Sky Sports both report Leclerc as the fastest in both sessions, but BBC emphasizes Verstappen's strong race-simulation pace, while Sky Sports highlights the close competition at the front. BBC notes Hamilton's struggle for pace, while Sky Sports focuses on the midfield runners. ESPN's source was inaccessible, so no additional perspective from that outlet is available. All sources agree on the grid penalties and the championship implications for Antonelli.

Why it matters

The US Grand Prix is a critical race for the 2026 F1 world title, with Antonelli able to clinch the championship if he wins and his rivals score insufficient points. The performance of the new upgrades from Ferrari and McLaren will influence the remaining races in the triple header, and Verstappen's strong race pace could impact the Constructors' Championship battle for third place.

What to watch

Second practice (FP2) will take place on Friday night, followed by F1 Academy Race 1. Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday night, with the race on Sunday. Teams will continue to refine their setups, particularly Mercedes, who hope to maximize their upgraded package over the full weekend.