F1 Austin 2026: United States Grand Prix Weekend Schedule in Central Time
Race over: Antonelli won from pole. Kimi Antonelli took the 2026 United States Grand Prix by 13.078 seconds from Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen third, and left Austin leading George Russell by 123 points with five races left. Read the full US Grand Prix results 2026 for the top 10 and standings. The schedule below is the Austin weekend as it ran.
Formula 1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas from October 23 to 25, and this year’s United States Grand Prix could crown a champion. Kimi Antonelli arrives in Austin with a 102-point lead and his first mathematical chance to clinch the 2026 title.
Here is the full F1 Austin schedule in Central and Eastern time, along with what to watch on track.
F1 Austin 2026 Schedule
| Session | Day | Central (CDT) | Eastern (EDT) | Pacific (PDT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Fri, Oct 23 | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
| Practice 2 | Fri, Oct 23 | 4:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| Practice 3 | Sat, Oct 24 | 12:30 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 10:30 a.m. |
| Qualifying | Sat, Oct 24 | 4:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 2:00 p.m. |
| Race | Sun, Oct 25 | 3:00 p.m. | 4:00 p.m. | 1:00 p.m. |
Times are based on the official Formula 1 event page. Austin is a standard weekend this year, since Singapore hosted the final sprint of 2026.
Can Antonelli Clinch the Title in Austin?
Yes, but three things have to happen on Sunday:
- Antonelli wins the race
- George Russell finishes ninth or lower
- Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower
If all three happen, Antonelli’s lead would be at least 125 points with 125 left, and he holds the tiebreak on race wins. A Mercedes one-two would delay the title, since Russell would score 18 points. The full breakdown is in GrandPrix.com’s analysis and Sky Sports’ title permutations.
A title in Austin would make Antonelli, at 20, the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.
The Circuit of the Americas
COTA runs counterclockwise over 20 turns. The lap opens with a steep climb to a tight left-hand Turn 1, which is one of the best overtaking spots of the year. The fast esses that follow reward a car with strong high-speed balance, and the long back straight sets up passes into Turn 12. Our Circuit of the Americas fan guide covers the best places to watch.
Who to Watch
- Antonelli, who needs a win to have any chance of clinching
- Russell, the rival with the best chance of keeping the title open
- Max Verstappen, who arrives after a dominant win in Singapore
- Ferrari, after strategy trouble cost Hamilton a podium in Singapore
Catch up on the last race in our Singapore results recap and see the full F1 standings 2026.
Planning Your Weekend
First time at COTA? Our first-timer’s guide to the United States Grand Prix covers getting there, what to bring and where to sit. If Austin does not settle the title, the fight moves to November’s four races. The full F1 schedule 2026 has every remaining race in US time.
How to Watch the US Grand Prix
Formula 1 is on Apple TV in the United States for 2026. Subscribers get every practice session, qualifying and the race, and non subscribers can watch all practice sessions plus select races. Prices and free races can change, so read our guide to how to watch F1 in the US on Apple TV before Friday.
Race Week Checklist
- Convert the times above to your own time zone. Sunday’s race starts at 3 p.m. Central, 4 p.m. Eastern and 1 p.m. Pacific.
- Confirm which sessions your Apple TV plan includes, especially if you only want the race.
- Check the official F1 schedule before you travel or book a watch party, since session times can be revised.
- Remember there is no sprint in Austin, so only Sunday’s race awards points this weekend.
What to Watch in Practice and Qualifying
Fastest laps in practice rarely tell the full story. Teams run different fuel loads and tire programs, so look at consecutive laps, how quickly the tires fall off and how the track changes as rubber goes down. Those long runs on Friday and Saturday are the best clue to Sunday’s pace.
Qualifying matters at COTA because the run to the first corner is short and uphill, and overtaking after a poor start is harder than the straights suggest. Track position on Saturday often decides how aggressive a team can be with strategy.
Keep Following the Championship
- Antonelli title guide, with the scenarios for the rest of the season
- 2026 F1 standings, updated after each race
- Singapore Grand Prix results, the race that set up Austin
- Mexico City Grand Prix 2026, the next round after Austin
- Full 2026 schedule in US time
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunday, October 25, at 3 p.m. Central time, which is 4 p.m. Eastern and 1 p.m. Pacific.
No. Singapore hosted the final sprint of 2026, so Austin uses the standard format with three practice sessions, qualifying and the race.
Yes, if he wins, George Russell finishes ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower.
On the F1 channel in Apple TV, which carries every session for subscribers. Non subscribers can watch all practice sessions and select races.
Practice 1 and 2 are on Friday, October 23. Practice 3 and qualifying are on Saturday, October 24. The race is on Sunday, October 25.
At the Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas.
