The race starts at 3:00 p.m. CDT on Sunday 25 October 2026, which is 20:00 UTC. Here’s what that means around the world:

Full weekend schedule

Is there a sprint in Austin this year? No. The 2026 Sprint weekends are China, Miami, Canada, Britain, the Netherlands and Singapore, so COTA is back to the traditional format. If you’re new to the qualifying format, our F1 qualifying explainer covers how Q1, Q2 and Q3 work.

2026 is the first season of Formula 1’s new US broadcast deal with Apple, so American fans watch on Apple TV rather than ESPN. In the UK, every session is live on Sky Sports F1, and NOW offers short-term passes if you don’t have a Sky subscription. Elsewhere, the official F1 TV Pro service streams every session live where it’s available, including onboard cameras and team radio. Our full guide to where to watch Formula 1 lists the options country by country.

Going to COTA?

The US Grand Prix is one of the best-attended races on the calendar, with a full weekend of concerts and fan events alongside the track action. If you’re planning to go, check the official COTA website for tickets, parking and shuttle information, as general admission and grandstand seats on the hill at Turn 1 are some of the most popular in the sport.

Russell’s win in Azerbaijan on 26 September cut Antonelli’s lead from 81 points to 66. Antonelli recovered from 16th on the grid to finish fifth in Baku, which limited the damage. Here’s the top of the championship after Baku:

Can Antonelli clinch the title in Austin?

After Austin, five races remain: Mexico City, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, worth a maximum of 125 points. To be crowned in Texas, Antonelli would need to leave COTA more than 125 points ahead of everyone. From a 66-point lead, that means gaining around 60 more points on Russell across Bahrain, Singapore and Austin. That’s possible only if Antonelli wins and Russell has serious problems, so it’s unlikely.

Mexico City on 1 November is the more realistic early chance. After Mexico, 100 points remain, so Antonelli would need to be more than 100 clear. Our full analysis of how Kimi Antonelli can clinch the 2026 F1 title covers every scenario.

For Russell, Austin is a race he has to win. Every weekend he doesn’t take a big bite out of the lead brings Antonelli closer to the title. Our Antonelli vs Russell analysis compares the two Mercedes drivers in detail.

COTA is one of the most varied tracks on the calendar. The lap starts with a steep uphill run to the tight, blind left-hander at Turn 1, one of F1’s most famous first corners and a regular scene of first-lap drama. From there, the fast, flowing esses through Turns 3 to 6 were inspired by Silverstone’s Maggotts and Becketts, and reward a car with strong high-speed downforce.

The back straight to Turn 12 is the main overtaking spot, and in 2026 it’s where the new overtake mode and active aero will matter most. Our explainer on the slipstream covers why following closely pays off there. The final sector includes a stadium section and a long, multi-apex right-hander modelled on Istanbul’s Turn 8.

What decides the race

Track limits: COTA’s wide run-off areas have produced plenty of lap-time deletions and penalties over the years, especially at Turns 9, 19 and 20. See our F1 track limits explainer. Bumps: the surface is notoriously bumpy in places, which affects car setup and ride height. Tyre wear: the high-speed esses load the tyres heavily, so strategy and the undercut often decide the result.

Lewis Hamilton has won at COTA five times, more than anyone else, and Max Verstappen has four wins, including last year’s race. There was no race in 2020. Neither of this year’s title contenders has won in Austin yet, so a first COTA win for Antonelli or Russell would add to the history of the event. Verstappen, second in Baku, will be a strong threat here once again. For the bigger picture, see our list of the best F1 drivers of all time.