USA Grand Prix 2026: Schedule, Session Times and Track Guide
- The Formula 1 2026 season brings 22 drivers across 23 different circuits, following schedule adjustments that reduced an originally planned 24-race calendar.
- The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, runs from Friday, October 23, 2026, to Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Designed by Hermann Tilke, the Circuit of The Americas opened in 2012.
The Formula 1 2026 season brings 22 drivers across 23 different circuits, following schedule adjustments that reduced an originally planned 24-race calendar. According to reporting from motorsport-magazin.com, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were canceled due to the Iran conflict.
Austin Race Weekend Schedule And Broadcast Details
The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, runs from Friday, October 23, 2026, to Sunday, October 25, 2026. Because of the time zone difference between Texas and Germany, all sessions take place during evening hours by German time, with start times ranging from 19:30 to 23:00. The first free practice session begins on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 19:30 German time, followed by the second practice at 23:00. On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the third practice starts at 19:30, and qualifying gets underway at 23:00. The main race is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026, starting at 21:00 German time. Viewers looking to watch the entire weekend live on television or streaming can use a Sky or WOW subscription, which covers every practice, qualifying, and the grand prix itself. Free-to-air broadcaster RTL will air the qualifying session live on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 23:00, while practices and the race remain exclusive to Sky and WOW.
Circuit Specifications And History In Texas
Designed by Hermann Tilke, the Circuit of The Americas opened in 2012. Lewis Hamilton won the inaugural race there, marking his final victory with McLaren. The track measures 5.513 kilometers in length and features 20 corners. Drivers complete 56 laps during the grand prix for a total race distance of 308.405 kilometers. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, holds the current race lap record of 1:36.169, set during the 2019 event.
Broader 2026 Calendar Adjustments And Outlook
The 2026 campaign opened in March in Australia and is scheduled to conclude in early December in Abu Dhabi. However, motorsport-magazin.com notes that the season finale remains uncertain due to ongoing friction between the United States and Iran, with Imola, Italy, standing by as a potential replacement venue. To replace the canceled round in Bahrain, organizers slotted in the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for October 4, 2026. While several calendar shifts have reshaped the year, the late-October stop in Austin remains firmly on the schedule.