Second Practice in Austin: How the 2026 US Grand Prix Pre‑Race Session Went Down

In the lead‑up to the 2026 United States Grand Prix, the second practice session in Austin proved to be a revealing showcase of the teams’ pace and tyre strategies. Per Formula1.com’s live coverage, the session ran from 10:00 a.m. IST (mid‑afternoon local time) and was marked by a mix of high‑speed runs and cautious tyre management as teams fine‑tuned their setups for the demanding 5.5‑km Circuit of the Americas.

Mercedes‑led by Lewis Hamilton, who posted the fastest lap of the session at 1:39.842, demonstrated a clear advantage in the current power‑unit configuration. The German team’s drivers pushed the limits of the new 2026 power‑unit, setting the benchmark for the rest of the field. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who had a slower start, managed to close the gap in the latter half of the session, recording a best lap of 1:40.123. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also showcased competitive pace, with a 1:40.456 lap that kept the Italian team in the top three for the session.

From a tyre perspective, the session was dominated by the hard compound, as teams opted for a conservative approach to preserve tyre life for the race. Pirelli’s reports indicated that the hard tyre was the most stable option on the circuit’s high‑speed corners, and the teams’ data reflected a consistent performance across the session. This choice will likely influence the teams’ strategy for the race, where tyre degradation on the long straights and high‑speed turns remains a critical factor.

For Indian fans, the second practice session will be available to watch live on FanCode, the official streaming partner for Formula 1 in India. The session was scheduled to air at 10:00 a.m. IST, allowing viewers to catch the action in real time. Fans can also follow the official F1 India Twitter feed for live updates and commentary throughout the session.

Source: Formula1.com & The Race