After an extended stay across Asia, Formula 1 heads to America for the United States Grand Prix at the iconic Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
After the previous treble saw Kimi Antonelli move closer to a first F1 title, the Mercedes driver enters three more consecutive races knowing he has every chance of sealing a historic triumph.
The Italian is 102 points clear of his Mercedes team-mate George Russell at the top of the standings, with the first two wins of the year for Red Bull and Max Verstappen only helping Antonelli drop from the pack, leaving him a slim chance of being crowned champion in Austin.
While Antonelli and Mercedes are in extremely strong positions in the championship, the competitive landscape has rarely been more exciting during the 2026 season, with each of the top four teams entering each weekend with genuine hopes of victory.
Many eyes will be on Antonelli, but Verstappen’s quest to complete a hat-trick of wins, along with Lewis Hamilton’s efforts to bounce back from a difficult Sunday in Singapore promise to provide plenty of entertainment.
United States GP – Circuit of the Americas
Of the newer permanent circuits to join the calendar over the past two decades, the Circuit of the Americas is certainly one of the best.
The undulating 3.4-mile, 20-corner circuit, built on the outskirts of Austin, quickly proved a hit with drivers when it made its debut in 2021 as F1’s first scale home in the US.
There was also a sense of familiarity as her track design was inspired by some of Europe’s most famous songs.
An Esses section reminiscent of Silverstone’s legendary high-speed Maggotts and Becketts complex makes up Turns Three to Six, while a reverse three-peak challenge in the style of Istanbul Park’s Turn Eight and a Hockenheim-style arena section all feature in thrilling anti-clockwise laps.
The circuit even has its own special feature in the form of a steep uphill to turn one, which has been the scene of numerous overtakings and controversial incidents over the past 13 years, when drivers go wheel-to-wheel in the wide braking zone before turning downhill towards the Esses.
Weather for US GP in Austin
Temperatures are expected to soar above 30 degrees Celsius on all three days of track action, but the wild question is whether the rain will play its part.
The latest forecast suggests there is a 50 per cent chance of rain during the race, with rain also possible on Friday and Saturday.
US GP dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1 live schedule – practice, qualifying and races
Thursday, October 22
18:25: F1 Academy Practice
20:00: Drivers’ press conference
22:30: F1 Academy Qualifying
11.10pm: Paddock uncut
Friday, October 23
18:00: First practice of the United States Grand Prix (session starts at 18:30)*
20:00: F1 show
21:45: Second Practice of the United States Grand Prix (session starts at 22:00)*
23.50: F1 Academy race 1*
Saturday, October 24
18:15: Third Practice of the United States Grand Prix (session starts at 18:30)
20:30: United States Grand Prix Qualifying*
22:00: UNITED STATES GRAND PRIZE QUALIFICATION*
12:00: F1 Academy Race 2*
12.45: Ted’s qualifying notebook*
Sunday, October 25
17:00: Race 3 of the F1 Academy
18:30: Grand Prix Sunday: US GP Preparation*
20:00: United States Grand Prix*
10:00 p.m.: Checkered flag: US GP reaction
11:00 p.m.: Teddy’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
How to watch or stream the United States Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland
Do you have Sky?
TV: Sky customers can watch Sky Sports F1 from Practice on Friday until The United States Grand Prix itself on Sunday, October 25 at 8:00 p.m
Application: Sky customers can also watch on The Sky Sports app – with the option to get on board with any driver!
Don’t have Sky?
Transmission: Non-Sky customers can Stream the action with a NOW pass or a monthly cancel anytime pass
Live Blog: Anyone on the go can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog
FREE Highlights: Watch F1 highlights right after the checkered flag on the Sky Sports app
How to watch the US GP on mobile with the Sky Sports app
Sky Sports subscribers can:
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the ‘Live’ section at 6.30pm to build up to Sunday, before the lights go out at 8pm
- Tap the Sky Sports F1 channel
- Sign in with your Sky ID (*you’ll only need to do this once)
*Sky ID Help: How to find or create your Sky ID
What is NOW?
NOW is an instant streaming service that offers access to all 12 Sky Sports channels, every Sky Sports+ stream and much more.
It’s an app, so customers can sign up and stream right away 60 devices. It offers no-contract membership options, so customers can cancel at any time!
You can choose between a monthly or daily membership. See the latest membership prices NOW.
More information about NOW can be found here.
Formula 1 then heads to America for another head-to-head with the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
