Sports · Motorsport · 2 hrs ago
Leclerc leads Verstappen in United States GP first practice
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc topped first practice for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
His fastest lap was 1 minute 36.052 seconds, 0.084 seconds quicker than Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
Verstappen had a faster lap deleted for exceeding track limits at the Circuit of the Americas.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was third, while Lewis Hamilton finished sixth for Ferrari.
Ferrari tested updates to the floor, sidepod and other parts of its car, but described the changes as a minor improvement.
The leading teams looked closely matched, though first practice offers only a limited picture of their pace.
The session was the first track running of the United States Grand Prix weekend; no further session results were available.
Charles Leclerc topped first practice for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
The Ferrari driver set a fastest lap of 1:36.052, beating Max Verstappen by 0.084 seconds.
Lando Norris was third, while Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli finished fourth and fifth.
Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull brought car updates to the session.
Antonelli could clinch the championship this weekend if he wins Sunday’s race and rivals finish outside the required points positions.
- Who
- Charles Leclerc topped the session, ahead of Max Verstappen.
- What
- Leclerc set the fastest time in the first practice session for the United States Grand Prix.
- When
- Friday, October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
- Why
- Teams used the session to practise and test car updates ahead of the Grand Prix. The sources do not state a specific reason for Leclerc’s fastest time.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
First practice took place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
Leclerc set the session’s fastest lap of 1:36.052 on soft tyres.
Verstappen finished 0.084 seconds behind Leclerc; a faster lap was deleted for a track-limits violation.
Second practice was scheduled to start at 10 p.m. BST.
- Fastest driver
- Charles Leclerc
- Fastest lap
- 1:36.052
- Gap to Verstappen
- 0.084 seconds
- Third place
- Lando Norris
- Circuit
- Circuit of the Americas, Austin
- Session date
- October 23, 2026
5 sources
Leclerc tops first USA practice as upgraded Ferrari shows early promise
Leclerc sets Austin practice pace from Verstappen
F1 United States GP: Leclerc beats Verstappen to top FP1 in upgraded Ferrari
F1 United States GP: Charles Leclerc pips Max Verstappen to top FP1
Leclerc goes fastest in first practice in Austin
What people are saying
It does look so close at the front.
McLaren look in there too, Mercedes found some time. Ferrari you'd have to say just had an ounce of an advantage but it is early doors.