F1 United States Grand Prix 2026: Lewis Hamilton Tops FP3 Practice, Kimi Antonelli Takes Pole in Austin

Kimi Antonelli took pole position at the 2026 United States Grand Prix in Austin as part of his bid to seal the F1 world title, while Lewis Hamilton ended a two-year wait to top the final practice session (FP3) during the same eventful weekend. Coverage from the BBC, Autosport, RacingNews365, Yahoo Sports and ESPN shows a race meeting in which practice form, qualifying results and Sunday’s schedule are all drawing attention. Here is what is known so far — and what to watch next.

What happened in F1 practice at the 2026 United States Grand Prix?

Lewis Hamilton topped the third and final practice session (FP3) ahead of qualifying at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. Reports framed the result as the end of a two-year wait for Hamilton to lead a Formula 1 practice session, which is why it became the standout talking point of the weekend’s early running. BBC Sport carried the practice live from Austin, publishing times, results and commentary for the session.

What is FP3 in Formula 1?

Formula 1 race weekends are built around practice sessions (FP1, FP2 and FP3), a qualifying session that sets the starting grid, and the race itself. FP3 is the final on-track practice, typically an hour long, and the last chance teams have to test setup before qualifying. Strong FP3 pace does not guarantee pole — fuel loads, tyre choices and strategy all matter — but it is treated by teams and fans alike as an early indicator of competitiveness on the day.

Who took pole position at the United States Grand Prix?

Kimi Antonelli earned pole position at the United States Grand Prix, meaning he posted the fastest qualifying lap at Austin and will start Sunday’s race from the front of the grid. Coverage described the result as part of Antonelli’s bid to seal the F1 world title at this round, underlining that the championship hunt can still be decided across the Austin weekend. The headlines reviewed do not state Antonelli’s exact lap time, the gap to second place, or how the wider title fight currently stands.

What is pole position and why does it matter?

Pole position is the front spot on the grid, awarded to the driver who sets the fastest time in qualifying’s final session. Starting first limits exposure to first-lap incidents, dirty air and traffic, which at a circuit like Austin — with its mix of fast corners and a long straight — can be decisive. For a championship hopeful, pole also signals that his car has strong single-lap pace at the most important moment of the weekend.

Could the F1 title be decided at Austin?

The reporting indicates Antonelli is bidding to seal the world championship at Austin, which means the title race can still be decided during the weekend in Texas. The headlines summarized here do not include the current drivers’ standings or the precise results combination Antonelli would need on Sunday, so the exact title arithmetic remains to be confirmed.

What are the key storylines of the 2026 US Grand Prix?

• A returning practice sensation: Lewis Hamilton tops FP3 for the first time in two years.
• A title bid at stake: Antonelli’s pole position keeps his world championship run alive at Austin.
• A Sunday climax: the race schedule, weather forecast and viewing details set the final day’s agenda.

When is the F1 United States GP race — and how do I watch?

The race is scheduled for Sunday, with coverage previews including the day’s schedule, the weather forecast and instructions for live viewing. The exact start time, local and international broadcast listings and the detailed weather outlook are not reproduced in the headlines summarized here, so check the published viewing guide before the weekend’s final day.

Which outlets are covering the F1 weekend in Austin?

• BBC Sport — live practice times, results and commentary from Austin as sessions run.
• RacingNews365 — session results and reaction, including Hamilton topping FP3.
• Autosport — live timing and following coverage through qualifying at Austin.
• ESPN — headline results, including Antonelli’s pole position.
• Yahoo Sports — Sunday race schedule, weather forecast and how to watch.

Why does Formula 1 race in Austin?

The United States Grand Prix has settled in Austin, with the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) hosting the round in recent years as a highlight of the North American summer. COTA is a purpose-built road course with elevation changes, a long back straight and a mix of high- and low-speed corners, which tends to produce close qualifying and overtaking chances on race day. F1’s US audience has grown steadily, and a late-season date means Austin often carries genuine championship stakes, as this year’s event shows.

What should F1 fans watch next at Austin?

All weekend now points toward Sunday’s race. Hamilton will look to turn his improved practice form into race pace, while Antonelli’s priority is converting pole and strong car speed into a result that keeps the title bid alive. For viewers, the practical steps are simple: confirm the Sunday start time in the published schedule, check the weather forecast, and pick a live timing or commentary source before the lights go out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who topped F1 practice (FP3) at the 2026 United States Grand Prix?

Lewis Hamilton topped the FP3 practice session at Austin ahead of qualifying, ending what reports described as a two-year wait to lead an F1 practice session. The result was widely covered in live practice times, results and commentary for the event.

Did Kimi Antonelli take pole position in Austin?

Yes. Kimi Antonelli took pole position at the United States Grand Prix in Austin by posting the fastest qualifying lap. The result was reported as part of his bid to seal the F1 world title at the Austin round, though exact lap times and margins were not stated in the coverage summarized here.

When is the F1 United States Grand Prix race scheduled?

The race is scheduled for Sunday at Austin. Schedule listings covered the day's running order, the weather forecast and how to watch. Exact start times and regional broadcast details were not reproduced in the headlines available, so checking the published race guide is the safest way to confirm the local start.

How can fans follow F1 practice and qualifying live?

Several outlets carried live coverage: BBC Sport published practice times, results and commentary from Austin, Autosport offered live timing during qualifying, RacingNews365 posted session results and reaction, and ESPN reported headline results including pole position. Yahoo Sports handled race-day scheduling and viewing guidance.

Is the F1 world title decided at Austin this weekend?

Coverage describes Antonelli's pole as part of his bid to seal the world title at Austin, meaning the championship can still be decided during the weekend. The precise points situation and the results combination needed to clinch the title were not included in the headlines reviewed.

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Vivek Raj

Vivek Raj covers automobiles, electric vehicles, mobility, consumer technology and new products. His articles explore new launches, features, industry developments and the technologies shaping the future of transportation.

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