2026 US GP: start time, TV, weather and Antonelli’s title chance

The 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas is scheduled to start Sunday, October 25, at 3pm CDT in Austin (8pm GMT; 4pm ET). It gives Kimi Antonelli his first chance to clinch the drivers’ championship: if he wins and title rival George Russell finishes ninth or lower, Antonelli will be crowned in Austin.

In the United States, Apple TV is the primary broadcast partner for the 2026 season, with all sessions available on the platform; F1 TV remains the series’ global subscription streaming service. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports shows every session live, with streams on Sky Go or NOW and free-to-air highlights on Channel 4.

A warm, mostly dry afternoon is forecast in Austin, with temperatures around 27–29°C at the 3pm start, partly cloudy skies and sunny periods; rain is not currently expected. Winds should be light to moderate, around 10–15 km/h. Tyre degradation and thermal management could play an important role over the 56 laps.