F1 US Grand Prix qualifying time: Leclerc leads into Austin shootout
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Qualifying starts at 10pm UK time on Saturday, October 24. That is 2am PKT on Sunday, October 25.
- Charles Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions in Austin. He beat Kimi Antonelli by just 0.042 seconds in second practice.
- Antonelli can win his first world title on Sunday. He must win the race, and he needs help from his rivals.
Formula 1 qualifying for the United States Grand Prix takes place on Saturday night in the UK. The session sets the grid for Sunday's race in Austin, Texas.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc goes into it as the fastest man from Friday practice. But the gaps at the front are tiny, so pole is wide open.
What happened
Friday practice belonged to Leclerc. The Ferrari driver led both sessions at the Circuit of the Americas.
His best lap in second practice was 1 minute 35.291 seconds. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli finished second, only 0.042 seconds behind him.
Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull, 0.189 seconds off the pace. Lewis Hamilton took fourth in the second Ferrari, 0.616 seconds back.
George Russell was fifth in the second Mercedes, 0.744 seconds behind Leclerc. McLaren had a poor day by its own standards.
Lando Norris finished seventh, 1.082 seconds off the top time. His team mate Oscar Piastri was eighth, 1.096 seconds back.
Both men failed to put a clean lap together on their fast soft tyre runs, according to Sky Sports. There was early drama in second practice.
Antonelli lost time when his seat came loose in the car. He had to pit for repairs and missed about 10 minutes of running.
He still recovered to finish second. Russell was also looked at by the stewards for forcing Leclerc off the track.
The stewards took no further action, and called the move not dangerous. Ferrari brought new parts to Austin.
The updates covered the floor, the sidepod, and the diffuser of the car. The team has now gone eight races without a win.
Leclerc still urged caution after his strong Friday. He said the other teams have more pace to unlock.
He named Antonelli and Verstappen as the men to watch on Saturday. Formula 1's own practice review agrees that four teams can fight for pole.
Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren all look close on lap time. That makes Saturday's session hard to call.
Why it matters
This is round 18 of the 2026 Formula 1 season. It is the 14th United States Grand Prix held at the Circuit of the Americas.
The race runs over 56 laps on Sunday. It starts at 3pm local time in Austin.
The title race gives the weekend extra stakes. Antonelli leads the championship, and he can seal the title on Sunday.
To do it, he must win the race in Austin. He also needs Russell to finish ninth or lower.
And he needs Hamilton to finish outside the top four. That math makes qualifying vital.
If Antonelli starts at the front, his title chance grows. If a rival beats him to pole, his task gets much harder.
A win from pole is the clean path. A win from further back is far less certain.
The weather should help the drivers. Austin will stay sunny and warm across the weekend, with a gentle breeze.
Saturday's qualifying session should reach a high of 30C. Sunday's race is set to stay dry, with temperatures near 29C.
There is no rain threat to shake up the order.
What happens next
Third practice runs on Saturday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm UK time. That is 10.30pm to 11.30pm PKT on Saturday.
Qualifying follows from 10pm to 11pm UK time. That is 2am to 3am PKT on Sunday morning.
The race takes place on Sunday. UK clocks go back on race day, so the race runs on GMT, not BST.
Lights out is at 8pm GMT on Sunday. That is 1am PKT on Monday, October 26.
Fans in the UK can follow the race on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra. The BBC also carries coverage on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
Sky Sports F1 shows the full weekend live, with qualifying build-up from 8.30pm UK time on Saturday.
Four teams can win pole, and one young driver can win the title. Saturday night will tell us who starts Sunday's race in the best seat.
Formula 1 rarely gives a clearer weekend than that.
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