Charles Leclerc secured the fastest times in both Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2 at the 2026 United States Grand Prix on Friday, October 23, at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. This performance followed the introduction of Ferrari’s final significant aerodynamic upgrade package for the SF-26 this season.
During Free Practice 1, Leclerc recorded a lap of 1:36.052, placing him ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. He then improved to a 1:35.291 in Free Practice 2, narrowly beating Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 0.042 seconds.
Verstappen finished third in FP2, 0.189 seconds behind Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc’s teammate, placed fourth in FP2, 0.615 seconds adrift, reporting struggles with car balance.
The new Ferrari upgrade package targets improved downforce and aerodynamic efficiency. It features revisions to the sidepod profile, floor edge board, diffuser, and underbody floor. These modifications represent a coordinated effort to enhance airflow management around the SF-26.
The floor changes aim to generate greater downforce from the car’s underbody. This also allows for a less rigid suspension setup, widening the SF-26’s operating window. Sidepod adjustments are intended to reduce drag and optimize energy deployment.
The diffuser has also been redesigned with a larger volume, contributing to more efficient downforce. Ferrari’s technical department views Austin as an ideal location to evaluate these changes. The circuit’s mix of high-speed corners, technical sections, and a long straight provides a comprehensive test.
Despite the strong showing, Leclerc cautioned against high expectations. He stated that the performance gain from the upgrades was not as significant as some might believe. He also suggested that rivals, particularly Antonelli and Verstappen, have more performance to extract.
The SF-26 demonstrated good balance, especially through medium and medium-fast corners. However, the team’s persistent issue with top speed remains.
Ferrari employed a strategy of saving battery energy for aggressive deployment through Turns 17 and 18. This contributed to Leclerc’s strong performance in the final sector.
Race pace simulations revealed that Leclerc’s aggressive initial pace on soft tyres led to higher degradation and fading lap times. This indicates the SF-26 remains a heavily rear-limited car, prone to overheating its rear tyres.
Hamilton’s Friday was challenging, as he experimented with a different setup direction. This left him uncomfortable over COTA’s bumpy surface. He finished over half a second behind Leclerc in FP2.
Antonelli, who is contending for the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship, finished second in FP2. Verstappen, whose Red Bull team secured consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore, placed third.
Other notable performances in FP2 included George Russell in fifth, Liam Lawson in sixth, and Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in seventh and eighth, respectively. Both McLaren drivers expressed dissatisfaction with their car’s handling.
Isack Hadjar and Ollie Bearman completed the top ten. Several drivers, including Verstappen, Hadjar, and Antonelli, had lap times deleted for exceeding track limits.
Williams experienced a difficult day, with Alex Albon struggling with track limits and a challenging car. Sergio Perez returned to his Cadillac for FP2 after Colton Herta participated in FP1.
Teams will now review data from Friday’s sessions. Free Practice 3 is scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 local time, followed by Qualifying at 16:00 local time.
