Charles Leclerc topped the opening practice session for the 2026 United States Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by 0.084s as Ferrari made an encouraging start to the weekend at Circuit of The Americas.

Leclerc set a fastest lap of 1:36.052 to finish ahead of the Red Bull driver, with championship leader Lando Norris third for McLaren, 0.245s off the pace. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli completed the top five for Mercedes, with the leading four teams separated by less than half a second.

On a hot afternoon in Austin, Ferrari appeared comfortable from the outset as it evaluated its latest aerodynamic package. The updates, which include revisions to the floor, sidepods and diffuser, represent the team’s latest development effort of the season. Both Leclerc and team-mate Lewis Hamilton made steady progress during the early stages, with Leclerc initially setting the pace on the medium compound.

The session offered an early indication of the challenges posed by the 5.513km circuit, whose combination of fast corners, heavy braking zones and bumpy surface places significant demands on car balance. Several drivers reported handling difficulties as they worked to find a suitable set-up.

Leclerc improved his benchmark after switching to the soft tyres in the second half of the session. Verstappen responded with a competitive lap of 1:36.136, having worked through his own balance issues. The Dutchman looked particularly strong through the opening sector and the circuit’s fast, flowing Esses, but a quicker effort was deleted for exceeding track limits.

Norris secured third place, recovering from moments of oversteer to finish ahead of Russell. Antonelli was fifth, just ahead of Hamilton, while Oscar Piastri completed the top seven for McLaren. With limited running completed, the close times among Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes suggested that the competitive picture remained open ahead of the next session.

Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto led the midfield in eighth, followed by Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, who completed the top 10. Oliver Bearman finished 11th for Haas, ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Isack Hadjar was 14th in the second Red Bull after losing a representative lap to a track-limits infringement.

Colton Herta made a further appearance in Friday practice for Cadillac, driving Sergio Perez’s car as he continues his efforts to secure the additional FIA Super Licence points required to qualify for a Formula One race seat. Herta finished 21st, ahead of the drivers’ championship’s final classified position.

Alexander Albon was the only driver not to record a timed lap. Williams focused on aerodynamic testing to support its development programme for 2027.

FIA Formula 1 United States Grand Prix – Free Practice 1 
1 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:36.052 26 206.625
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:36.136 0.084 25 206.445
3 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:36.297 0.245 22 206.099
4 George Russell Mercedes 1:36.378 0.326 26 205.926
5 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:36.533 0.481 25 205.596
6 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:36.555 0.503 23 205.549
7 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:36.786 0.734 23 205.058
8 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:36.995 0.943 23 204.616
9 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:37.063 1.011 26 204.473
10 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:37.309 1.257 22 203.956
11 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:37.665 1.613 23 203.213
12 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Honda 1:37.688 1.636 22 203.165
13 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Honda 1:37.783 1.731 25 202.967
14 Isack Hadjar Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:37.790 1.738 23 202.953
15 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Mercedes 1:37.801 1.749 23 202.930
16 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:37.896 1.844 26 202.733
17 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Mercedes 1:38.121 2.069 23 202.268
18 Nico Hülkenberg Audi 1:38.122 2.070 21 202.266
19 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:38.846 2.794 19 200.785
20 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac/Ferrari 1:39.053 3.001 21 200.365
21 Colton Herta Cadillac/Ferrari 1:39.979 3.927 21 198.509
22 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes - 19