2026 United States Grand Prix Sunday Schedule: Times, Weather and How to Watch Live in India

The 2026 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix returns to the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin on Sunday, 23 October, with a packed schedule that will see Kimi Antonelli on pole and the first real chance for the rookie to fight for a podium. Both AutohebdoF1 and Motorsport.com have published the official timetable, confirming the start‑to‑finish programme for the day.

Full Sunday timetable (all times in local Austin, UTC‑5)

• 09:00 am – 10:00 am: Fan‑zone activities, autograph sessions and the traditional "F1 Live" fan experience on the pit lane.
• 10:30 am – 11:00 am: Final practice (FP3) – the last chance for teams to fine‑tune setups before qualifying.
• 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm: Qualifying – Kimi Antonelli clinches pole position, putting the spotlight on the young Italian.
• 02:00 pm – 04:00 pm: Race start – the Grand Prix begins at 2 pm local time, which translates to 11:30 pm IST.
• 04:30 pm – 05:00 pm: Post‑race podium ceremony and driver interviews.

For Indian viewers, the race will therefore start at 11:30 pm IST and finish around 1:30 am IST on Monday, 24 October. The early‑morning practice sessions are less relevant for live viewing, but the qualifying session will be on at 10:30 pm IST, offering a perfect pre‑race window for fans who want to see the grid set‑up.

Weather outlook

According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, Austin is expected to see partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from 18 °C in the morning to a high of 27 °C by mid‑day. Wind speeds should remain light, under 10 km/h, which generally favours stable tyre performance. However, the possibility of a brief thunderstorm in the late afternoon cannot be ruled out, and teams will be watching the radar closely as the race approaches.

How to watch in India

Indian fans can stream the entire Grand Prix live on FanCode, which holds the official F1 broadcasting rights for the sub‑continent. The platform will provide a dedicated "US GP" channel with commentary in English and Hindi, plus a split‑screen option for on‑track data. For those preferring traditional TV, the race will also be simul‑cast on Star Sports 1, with a delayed prime‑time replay on Star Sports 2 the following morning.

With the pole position secured by the promising youngster Antonelli, the 2026 United States Grand Prix promises high‑octane action and a potential shake‑up in the championship battle. Indian fans should set their alarms for the 11:30 pm IST start, grab some snacks, and enjoy the spectacle from the comfort of their homes.

Source: Motorsport.com