For the first time in the 2026 Formula 1 season, there's a chance that the world championship could be clinched in this weekend's United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli holds a 102-point lead over teammate George Russell with six races remaining on the calendar. After Sunday's 56-lap race around the 20-turn, 3.427-mile (5.515-kilometer) road course in Austin, Texas, there will be a maximum of just 125 points left on the table.
With 150 points still on the table, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton is 111 points behind, Red Bull's Max Verstappen is 119 points behind, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is 125 points behind, and McLaren's Lando Norris is 139 points behind.
COTA has hosted 13 United States Grands Prix since 2012, and the race has historically been one of the most exciting on the calendar. The 2025 race, won by Verstappen, was the first won from pole since 2021 and the first won from the front row since 2022. It was also the first race in COTA history that did not feature a lead change.
In a season of new regulations which has thus far seen just one driver win after starting from behind the front row, how crucial will Saturday's qualifying session be?
Follow along with our live qualifying updates from Circuit of the Americas.
United States Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Eliminated in Q1
17 - Esteban Ocon, Haas
18 - Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
19 - Carlos Sainz Jr., Williams
20 - Alex Albon, Williams
21 - Sergio Perez, Cadillac
22 - Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac
United States Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Eliminated in Q2
11 - Pierre Gasly, Alpine
12 - Nico Hulkenberg, Audi
13 - Ollie Bearman, Haas
14 - Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
15 - Franco Colapinto, Alpine
16 - Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
United States Grand Prix F1 qualifying: Q3 results
1 - Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
2 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3 - Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
4 - Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
5 - Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
6 - George Russell, Mercedes
7 - Oscar Piastri, McLaren
8 - Lando Norris, McLaren
9 - Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
10 - Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Full United States Grand Prix starting lineup at COTA
1 - Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
2 - Max Verstappen, Red Bull
3 - Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
4 - Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
5 - Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
6 - George Russell, Mercedes
7 - Oscar Piastri, McLaren
8 - Lando Norris, McLaren
9 - Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
10 - Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
11 - Pierre Gasly, Alpine
12 - Nico Hulkenberg, Audi
13 - Ollie Bearman, Haas
14 - Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
15 - Franco Colapinto, Alpine
16 - Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
17 - Esteban Ocon, Haas
18 - Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
19 - Carlos Sainz Jr., Williams
20 - Alex Albon, Williams
21 - Sergio Perez, Cadillac
22 - Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac
The United States Grand Prix is set to be shown live on Apple TV from Circuit of the Americas beginning at 3:55 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 25.
Add us as a preferred source on Google