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F1·PREVIEW·October 24, 2026 01:12 PM ET

Rivals chase Ferrari entering final United States GP practice

Four-part aero upgrade powers Friday pace at COTA.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read
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Photo via @SkySportsF1 on X

What happened: Final practice for the United States Grand Prix gets underway Saturday at Circuit of the Americas with the field working to close the gap to Ferrari. The Italian constructor set the early pace in Austin on Friday after introducing a revised floor, sidepod inlet, and diffuser on the SF-26.

Why it matters: Saturday's session provides the final on-track setup window before qualifying locks in grid positions at Circuit of the Americas. Teams split Friday running across soft, medium, and hard tire compounds to balance single-lap pace against long-run degradation.

What to watch: Qualifying in Austin follows final practice later Saturday to determine the starting grid for Sunday's United States Grand Prix.

Sources

  • @SkySportsF1 
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