The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship might be a groundbreaking event for Kimi Antonelli, especially during the United States Grand Prix held at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA). At just 20 years old, Antonelli has the chance to make history by becoming the youngest Formula 1 World Champion, possibly breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record from 2010, when Vettel won the title at the age of 23.
While Max Verstappen currently sits behind Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in the standings, he remains a strong competitor. Verstappen has won four of the last five races at COTA, including the 2025 race, making him a considerable threat.
In the practice sessions leading up to the race, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished at the top, with Antonelli hot on his heels, just 0.042 seconds behind in second place during FP2. Verstappen secured the third position, followed closely by his McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who placed fourth and seventh, respectively.
In the constructors’ championship, Mercedes holds a commanding lead over Ferrari by 134 points after 17 races. Although they cannot clinch their title at this race, the 2026 United States Grand Prix marks the beginning of a crucial triple-header, with upcoming events in Mexico City and Brazil.
For fans in India wanting to watch the United States Grand Prix live, here’s what you need to know:
- Live stream: You can catch the race on the FanCode app or website, as there are no regular TV broadcasts of Formula 1 in India.
- Detailed coverage: For deeper insights and extra features, you can opt for F1 TV Pro, available through FanCode.
The race at COTA, a 5.513-kilometre track located in Austin, Texas, is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. local time (CDT). For those in India, that translates to 1:30 a.m. IST on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Here’s a quick look at the full F1 2026 race calendar:
| Date | Grand Prix | Track | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 6-8 | Australia | Albert Park Circuit | George Russell (Mercedes) |
| Mar. 13-15 | China* | Shanghai International Circuit | Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) |
| Mar. 27-29 | Japan | Suzuka International Racing Course | Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) |
| … | … | … | … |
| Oct. 23-25 | United States | Circuit of the Americas | |
| Oct. 30-Nov. 1 | Mexico | Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez | |
| Nov. 6-8 | Brazil | Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace | |
| Nov. 19-21 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas Strip Circuit | |
| Nov. 27-29 | Qatar* | Lusail International Circuit | |
| Dec. 4-6 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina Circuit |
*Note: Sprint format races and schedule changes are indicated.
