Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Hamilton leads Verstappen in final practice at the United States GP
Lewis Hamilton topped final practice for Formula 1’s United States Grand Prix in Austin.
He set a fastest lap of 1 minute 34.893 seconds, ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen finished second, while Leclerc was third after track-limit violations erased attempts to go faster.
Drivers must keep within the track boundaries, and several laps were deleted for crossing the white lines.
The session’s order offered a close contest ahead of qualifying, although Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell were behind the top three.
Qualifying was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, when drivers would compete to determine their starting positions for the race.
Lewis Hamilton led Max Verstappen in final practice for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
Hamilton’s Ferrari was 0.168 seconds faster than Verstappen’s Red Bull, with Charles Leclerc third.
Leclerc had set the fastest time but his lap was deleted for exceeding track limits.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fourth, ahead of Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
Qualifying was scheduled for Saturday, with the race on Sunday.
- Who
- Lewis Hamilton topped final practice, ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
- What
- Hamilton set the fastest time in final practice for the United States Grand Prix.
- When
- Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Charles Leclerc topped both practice sessions.
Hamilton set the fastest time in final practice, ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc.
Qualifying for the United States Grand Prix was scheduled for 10pm UK time.
The United States Grand Prix was scheduled to take place.
- Hamilton's lap
- 1:34.893
- Hamilton's lead over Verstappen
- 0.168 seconds
- Third place
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Fourth place
- Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
- Venue
- Circuit of the Americas, Austin
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What people are saying
Obviously, I'm in an incredible position,
But, of course, I still have to keep going, and the mindset is always the same: whenever I go on track, I want to be at the top and try to win as much as possible.
Whether I win the championship this weekend, next weekend [Mexico] or in Brazil. Let's see. But it's not over until it's over.
There was a feeling in the paddock, and having spoken to other teams, that maybe Ferrari's pace was potentially unrealistic yesterday in terms of how quick they were,