Next Formula 1 Race: Austin Schedule and Details

This weekend, Formula 1 is on a scheduled break, meaning there will be no racing from October 17–18, 2026. Following the exciting Singapore Grand Prix, the championship is gearing up for the next event at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, scheduled for October 23–25.

Upcoming Race Details

The United States Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, October 25, at 15:00 local time (CDT) in Austin. For fans in other regions, this translates to 16:00 in New York and Toronto, 20:00 in the UK, and 17:00 in Brasília. Viewers from India, Australia, and New Zealand will catch the race on Monday, October 26, due to time zone differences.

The action will kick off on Friday, October 23, with two practice sessions, followed by another practice session and qualifying on Saturday. The race on Sunday will consist of 56 laps. Unlike the previous race in Singapore, this grand prix won’t include a sprint race, adhering to the traditional formula of three practice sessions, qualifying, and the main event.

Why No Racing This Weekend?

The weekend of October 17–18 remains free in the 2026 Formula 1 calendar as a planned break between the Singapore and Austin races. This gap allows teams and drivers to regroup after the intense competition at Marina Bay, where Max Verstappen claimed a crucial victory on October 11, highlighting Red Bull's resurgence.

Following this weekend off, Formula 1 will quickly shift gears as it embarks on a series of three races in the Americas, starting with Austin and followed by the Mexican Grand Prix on November 1 and the São Paulo Grand Prix on November 8. This sequence will demand high performance from teams as they look to maximize points in a brief but intense stretch.

What’s at Stake in Austin?

The upcoming race could be pivotal for Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship with 340 points. He holds a significant gap over his teammate George Russell, who has 238 points, and the veteran Lewis Hamilton with 229 points. Max Verstappen sits at 221 points, trailing Antonelli by 119.

Mathematically, Antonelli could potentially clinch his first championship title in Austin, depending on the results and his competitors' performances. Verstappen, on the other hand, is looking to extend his winning streak after successive victories in Malaysia and Singapore, which marked a turning point for Red Bull this season. Meanwhile, McLaren seeks to bolster its position in the Constructors’ Championship with further updates during this crucial phase.

Ferrari will also be keen to capitalize on Charles Leclerc’s recent second-place finish in Singapore as it prepares for the challenges ahead in Austin.

Next Sessions and Coverage

There are no F1 sessions scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18. The next qualifying session will take place on Saturday, October 24, at 16:00 CDT in Austin, which aligns with 22:00 BST in the United Kingdom and 17:00 EDT in New York.

As the anticipation builds for the United States Grand Prix, fans can expect detailed coverage from Sports World Zone on the preparations, qualifying sessions, and the race itself, with all the latest updates in Formula 1.