Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc sets Austin practice pace from Max Verstappen

Charles Leclerc set the pace in the opening practice for the 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, just 0.084 seconds faster than Max Verstappen. The Ferrari driver was quickest at the start of the first Austin weekend where Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli can clinch his first world title. Verstappen ended second, while Leclerc’s teammate and rivals filled the next slots: Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell were fifth and fourth respectively, and Lewis Hamilton finished sixth ahead of Oscar Piastri. Antonelli can win the championship in Austin only if he wins the race and Russell finishes P8 or worse, with Hamilton outside the top four.