2026 United States Grand Prix: Official Starting Grid Revealed

Formula 1 has released the definitive starting order for the 2026 United States Grand Prix, scheduled for 17‑18 October at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. The grid was set after the final qualifying session, with Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes securing pole position for the first time in the United States since 2019. He will be followed by Charles Leclerc of Ferrari in second and Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing in third, setting the stage for a high‑stakes battle at the start.

In the midfield, George Russell (Mercedes) will line up on the front‑row of the second row, with Lando Norris (McLaren) and Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) completing the top six. The rest of the grid will see Fernando Alonso (Alpine) and Esteban Ocon (Alpine) in the third row, while the front‑row of the fourth will feature Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri). The final row will be occupied by the lower‑tier teams, with Scuderia AlphaTauri, Haas, and Williams rounding out the field.

The announcement comes as teams prepare for the first of three American rounds in the 2026 season, following the Miami and Las Vegas Grands Prix. The Circuit of the Americas is known for its long straights and high‑speed corners, making the starting position crucial for teams looking to gain an early advantage. With the grid now confirmed, fans can anticipate a tightly contested opening lap, especially between the top three contenders.

For Indian viewers, the United States Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode from 12:00 PM IST on 18 October, with commentary in Hindi and English. The race will also be available on the F1+ streaming platform, which offers real‑time lap‑by‑lap updates and driver‑specific feeds. Fans can tune in early to watch the pre‑race activities and the final practice session, which will take place on 17 October.

Source: Formula 1