Following an extended stint <a href="https://absafricatv.com/why-are-people-protesting-across-europe/" title=”Why are people protesting across Europe?”>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 triple-header saw Kimi Antonelli move closer to a maiden F1 title, the Mercedes driver enters three more back-to-back 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 victories of the year for Red Bull and Max Verstappen only having helped Antonelli move clear of the pack, leaving him with a small chance of being crowned champion in Austin.
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While both Antonelli and Mercedes are in remarkably strong positions in the championships, the competitive picture 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 attempts to bounce back from a tough Sunday in Singapore promise to provide plenty of entertainment.
United States GP track – Circuit of the Americas
Of the newer permanent circuits to have joined the calendar over the past couple of decades, the Circuit of the Americas is certainly one of the very best.
The undulating 3.4-mile, 20-corner layout built on the outskirts of Austin quickly proved a hit with drivers when it made its debut in 2012 as F1’s first made-to-measure home in the USA.
There was also a sense of familiarity given its track design took inspiration from some of Europe’s most famous tracks.
An Esses section reminiscent of Silverstone’s legendary high-speed Maggotts and Becketts complex at Silverstone makes up Turns Three to Six, while a reverse triple-apex challenge in the style of Istanbul Park’s Turn Eight and a Hockenheim-style arena section all feature in the exciting anti-clockwise lap.
The circuit even has its own signature feature in the form of a steep uphill run to the first corner, which has been the scene of numerous overtakes and controversial incidents over the past 13 years when drivers go wheel-to-wheel into the wide braking zone before powering back downhill towards the Esses.
United States GP weather in Austin
Temperatures are expected to climb above 30 degrees Celsius on all three days of track action, but the wild card is whether rain is going to play apart.
The latest forecast suggests there’s a 50 per cent chance of rain falling during the race, with showers also possible on Friday and Saturday.
United States GP dates, UK start time and Sky Sports F1’s live schedule – practice, qualifying and race
Thursday October 22
6.25pm: F1 Academy Practice
8pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
10.30pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
11.10pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday October 23
6pm: United States Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 6.30pm)*
8pm: The F1 Show
9.45pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 10pm)*
11.50pm: F1 Academy Race 1*
Saturday October 24
6.15pm: United States Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 6.30pm)
8.30pm: United States Grand Prix Qualifying build-up*
10pm: UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
12am: F1 Academy Race 2*
12.45am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday October 25
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: United States GP build-up*
8pm: THE UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: United States GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
How to watch or stream the United States Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland
Got Sky?
TV:Sky Customers can watch on Sky Sports F1 from Practice on Friday to the United States Grand Prix itself on Sunday October 25 at 8pm
App: Sky Customers can also watch on the Sky Sports app – with the option to go onboard with any driver!
Not got Sky?
Stream:Non-Sky Customers can stream the action with a NOW Day or a cancel-anytime Month pass
Live blog:Anyone on the move can follow live coverage of the race weekend through our dedicated F1 blog
FREE Highlights:Watch F1 highlights shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app
How to watch the United States GP on mobile with the Sky Sports app
- Download or open the Sky Sports app
- Head to the ‘Live’ section at 6.30pm for build-up on Sunday, ahead of lights out at 8pm
- Tap on the Sky Sports F1 channel
- Sign in with your Sky iD (*you’ll only need to do this once)
What is NOW?
NOW is an instant streaming service offering 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 instantly across over 60 devices. It offers contract-free membership options, so customers can cancel anytime!
You can choose between a Month or Day Membership. See the latest NOW membership prices.
More information about NOW can be found here.
Formula 1 next heads to The Americas for another triple header with the United States Grand Prix in Austin up first on October 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
