United States GP 2026: Ferrari leads Austin practice

Ferrari led all three practice sessions for the 2026 United States Grand Prix at COTA, with Charles Leclerc fastest on Friday and Lewis Hamilton on top in FP3.

Ferrari led every practice session at the 2026 United States Grand Prix weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans reported that Charles Leclerc was fastest in FP1 and FP2, before Lewis Hamilton set the quickest time in FP3. Autosport also reported that Max Verstappen finished second in FP1 and stayed within two tenths of Leclerc across Friday.

Ferrari also brought updates to Austin. Autosport and Motorsport.com reported that the package included changes around the floor and sidepods, while Motorsport.com said both Hamilton and Leclerc played down the significance of the new parts. Formula1.com later reported that Hamilton and Leclerc explained why Ferrari did not carry that practice pace into qualifying.

In the 2026 drivers' championship, Hamilton arrived in Austin third on 229 points, Verstappen was fourth on 221, and Leclerc fifth on 215. Leclerc came into the weekend with nine wins and 24 pole positions in Formula 1.