Charles Leclerc fastest in Austin opening practice as Ferrari debut floor upgrade

Leclerc heads Verstappen in upgraded Ferrari

Charles Leclerc set the pace in first practice for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, pipping Red Bull's Max Verstappen to the fastest time with a best lap of 1:36.052 on the soft tyre. Leclerc finished 0.084 seconds ahead of Verstappen, who lost a lap that was two tenths quicker than the Ferrari due to a track limits violation at Turn 19.

Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all introduced fresh revisions for the opening hour of running in Austin. Ferrari's package features changes to the floor, sidepod and diffuser, and the car showed speed on both medium and soft tyres around the undulating COTA lap.

Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both played down the upgrade's potential. Hamilton, who was sixth fastest and half a second off Leclerc after his soft-tyre run did not come together, said: "We have a very, very small upgrade this weekend. It's less than a tenth. It's like half a tenth."

"So, I don't think that propels us forward enough to necessarily challenge that deficit. But maybe the track suits our car, and maybe they'll have a one-off weekend. Maybe Mercedes will have an off weekend again, and we'll be right there to take it."

McLaren and Mercedes

Lando Norris was third in a McLaren that also featured changes, as the team bid to return to form after a difficult run that saw them slip behind Red Bull in the battle for third in the Constructors' Championship. Oscar Piastri was seventh fastest.

World championship leaders Mercedes did not bring fresh upgrades to Austin. Both drivers returned to the package first introduced two races ago in Malaysia, after George Russell reverted to the older specification in Singapore. Russell finished fourth, 0.326 seconds behind, with Kimi Antonelli fifth.

Antonelli's title opportunity

Antonelli could clinch the 2026 world title in Austin if he wins on Sunday and his team-mate Russell and Hamilton do not score enough points to stay in mathematical contention. According to BBC Sport, Antonelli will win the championship only if he wins the race, Russell finishes below eighth and Hamilton below fourth.

Mercedes believe their upgrade carries more performance than it has shown so far, but say they have not yet found the right set-up to maximise it. They hope a full weekend with three practice sessions will help them refine it.