Official 2026 United States Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***

[Piginapoke]

After a week off, we're back on it in Austin for the United States GP. It's a good circuit that usually gives a good race- which would be welcome as we ve had a few duffers recently. It should also suit the power units reasonably well, with its mix of corners.

Mercedes seem to be sticking to its guns and keeping the new upgrade package. Antonelli can win his first WDC if he wins, Russell finishes 9th or lower and Hamilton finishes 5th or lower.

Red Bull has been outstanding in developing its power unit and chassis in-season and Max was brilliant in Singapore. His first corner handling of Leclerc was top class, and it will be interesting to see if Max can win three in a row- he gets my vote once again.

Both McLaren and Ferrari need to raise their game, technically and strategically. Interesting to see what they come up with here-Ferrari is said to be bringing a big update.

Here s to a great race.

Date(s): Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026

UK Broadcast Timings (and track time)

All sessions are live on Sky F1. Channel 4 is showing highlights of competitive sessions.





2025 Highlights: Verstappen win

https://youtu.be/CdKwc1bC44c?si=hZdRFbJky14WuJbw

Tyres:

Medium compounds



2025 Result:

Edited by Piginapoke on Sunday 18th October 08:17

Edited by Piginapoke on Sunday 18th October 08:18

[tozerman]

Looking forward to this one, love the track and catches drivers out.I've gone for MV to win, I really don't want him to win but think he's on a roll at the moment. Possibly ominous for 2027.Thanks for the thread really appreciated it..Cheers.. Tony..

[EddieS]

As always, thank you Mr PiaP 👍🏽

My boys on their bikes yesterday "It's the last lap, deploy all your energy!'

[PhilAsia]

Thanks PiaP!

I've gone for Max because he has a great car and can can drive quite well...

[vaud]

Now they understand the car better in terms of operating window, and deployment, etc, it’s hard to see beyond Max at the moment given his metronomic form.

[Sandpit Steve]

Thanks for the thread as always PiaP, definitely the favourite American race this one, on a proper circuit where overtaking and close racing can happen.

In recent years there’s been a number of problems with bumps here, it’ll be interesting to see if that’s now been resolved. They moved an awful lot of earth when they built the place, and it’s settled quite a bit over time.

I suspect the running order here is going to be similar to Malaysia. So Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, in that order for qualifying.

Kimi could win the championship this weekend, even with the uncertainly over the last two races of the season. Would be youngest champion by some margin, current record-holder Vettel was 23 when he won it in 2010.

[TheDeuce]

Thanks PIAP!

The proper and finest USGP!!

My feeling regards Merc is that they're safe enough to continue to play with their latest update. It might appear that they're lost at sea with it... But there's a reasonable chance that they're so safe in championship terms that they're able to play with extreme updates. They could revert both cars to previous spec of course... If they don't, it's only logical to think that they feel they can afford what is essentially free testing time now.

So far as the circuit goes, I've been looking forward to this one! There's no obvious way to set the harvesting/deployment cycles here. There's potential for surprise performance from the teams that perfect it.

[Milkyway]

As a McLaren fan... I gave GR my vote.
(Just to keep the Championship alive... you owe me one George).

To keep up the sporting spirit... Kimi can have a point.
(I'm not that mean).

Edited by Milkyway on Monday 19th October 06:55

[BrettMRC]

Thanks again PIAP

I think MV will be on course for another win, but the engine will go pop.

1st: Kimi
2nd: George
3rd: Lando

[mk1coopers]

Thanks PiaP, I don’t think that those who run the show will want Kimi winning the WDC with so many races to go, here’s to an interesting race

[PRO5T]

mk1coopers said:

Thanks PiaP, I don t think that those who run the show will want Kimi winning the WDC with so many races to go, here s to an interesting race

I'm of the opposite opinion. They want him to get it sewn up pretty sharpish so they can announce the cancellation of the middle eastern races and not have that impact the result of the championship.

The last thing they want is to cancel a couple of races gifting him the championship by dint of no one having the chance to catch him.

[Milkyway]

The WDC & WCC may be wrapped up...
Drivers: Still battling for positions... looks good on their CV.
The teams: Battling for their coin & pit garage slot for '27.

And the FIA have to run a minimum number of GP''s for contractual reasons.

NB: Will the FIA tell Toto to turn down KA's engine.

Edited by Milkyway on Monday 19th October 07:47

[PRO5T]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cqm2...

Nice pictorial article from the BBC on previous US GPs.

[mrdelazouch]

Another one for Kimi, but I hope that George will come out fighting. Max might do well here, but I don't see him winning (I'll probably be wrong again though).

[Nova Gyna]

Milkyway said:

As a McLaren fan... I gave GR my vote.
(Just to keep the Championship alive... you owe me one George).

To keep up the sporting spirit... Kimi can have a point.
(I'm not that mean).

Edited by Milkyway on Monday 19th October 06:55

Finally, a bit of positivity about George. I was beginning to think I was on my own here.

Anyway, I voted for Max.

[Milkyway]

Nova Gyna said:

Finally, a bit of positivity about George. I was beginning to think I was on my own here.

Anyway, I voted for Max.

To be reviewed after the race.

[Still Mulling]

Thanks as always, PiaP!

I like this circuit. Any chance of a spit of rain this year? Will the Ferraris do well in the fast sweepers? And Lewis likes this track.

[TikTak]

Thanks PiaP!

Ah COTA ... I really love this place for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. Hoping for a bit more of an interesting race than last but who knows with a massive straight in it.

Expect the Mercs to go well, but can't rule out Max.

[Milkyway]

TikTak said:

Thanks PiaP!

Ah COTA ... I really love this place for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. Hoping for a bit more of an interesting race than last but who knows with a massive straight in it.

Expect the Mercs to go well, but can't rule out Max.

He will be well fired up after his GT weekend... he's on a roll.
Like last year... unfortunately too late to challenge for the WDC.
A good fight remains between second to sixth... only thirty seven points cover them.

NB: Seventh, if Oscar can find some form / consistency... Only forty three behind Lando.
( Helps keep my McLaren interests alive)

Edited by Milkyway on Monday 19th October 09:17

[Josemartinez]

I've gone for Leclerc out of hope. But I think it will be Verstappen, seems to be on a roll recently. Could we have a title fight between Verstappen and Antonelli next year?