The F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE coverage brings you the latest updates from the final practice session at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Austin, Texas. With qualifying coming up next, teams will be looking to make their final setup adjustments, evaluate tyre performance and find the pace needed to challenge for a strong starting position.
Join Our Youtube Channel to stay updated with daily car & bike news instantly!
Charles Leclerc topped the opening practice session, with Max Verstappen finishing second and Lando Norris third. The final practice session will provide another opportunity to assess the competitive order before qualifying, although the FP3 timings alone may not tell the complete story of each team’s potential.
Also Read: F1 United States GP 2026 Preview: Schedule, Timings and Title Battle
F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE Updates
Hello and welcome to Auto India Daily’s live coverage of the F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE session. We will bring you the key developments from the track, including the latest lap times, driver performances, team updates and session results as the action unfolds at COTA.
00:07 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Hamilton Leads Verstappen in Final Practice
Lewis Hamilton has topped the final practice session for the F1 United States GP 2026 with a best lap of 1:34.893 for Ferrari. Max Verstappen finished second for Red Bull in 1:35.061, just 0.168 seconds behind, while Charles Leclerc completed the top three in 1:35.127. Kimi Antonelli and George Russell placed fourth and fifth for Mercedes, with Oscar Piastri sixth for McLaren.
Lando Norris finished eighth behind Nico Hulkenberg, while Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar completed the top 10. Hamilton’s pace gives Ferrari a strong boost heading into qualifying, but Verstappen remains close enough to challenge for pole. With Leclerc also inside the top three, the fight between Ferrari and Red Bull could be one of the key stories in the upcoming qualifying session.
F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 — Full Results
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:34.893 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:35.061 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:35.127 |
| 4 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:35.196 |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:35.381 |
| 6 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:35.531 |
| 7 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | 1:35.591 |
| 8 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:35.706 |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:35.904 |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 1:35.930 |
| 11 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:35.931 |
| 12 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 1:36.081 |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 1:36.176 |
| 14 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:36.235 |
| 15 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:36.251 |
| 16 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:36.455 |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:36.742 |
| 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:37.131 |
| 19 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:37.668 |
| 20 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:37.711 |
| 21 | Sergio Pérez | Cadillac | 1:37.884 |
| 22 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 1:38.765 |
00:03 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Hamilton Tops Final Practice
Lewis Hamilton has finished FP3 fastest at the Circuit of The Americas, giving Ferrari the advantage heading into qualifying. Max Verstappen ended the session second, while Charles Leclerc completed the top three, setting up a potentially close battle between Ferrari and Red Bull for pole position. Hamilton’s pace will be a major talking point, but qualifying will reveal whether Ferrari can convert its practice speed into the best starting position.
00:01 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Verstappen Suffers Bizarre Single-Wheelspin
Max Verstappen has had an unusual moment during the closing stages of FP3 at the Circuit of The Americas, with a dramatic single-wheelspin catching attention. The incident adds to what has been a challenging session for the Red Bull driver, who has previously expressed concerns about the circuit’s bumpy surface. With qualifying next, Verstappen will be keen to put the moment behind him and find a stronger rhythm.
23:57 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Final Three Minutes of Practice
The final three minutes of FP3 are underway at the Circuit of The Americas, marking the last opportunity for teams to fine-tune their cars before qualifying. Drivers continue to head out on track for their closing runs, with the focus on extracting maximum performance while avoiding track-limit violations ahead of the fight for pole position.
23:51 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Leclerc’s Lap Deleted for Track Limits
Lewis Hamilton is back at the top of the FP3 timing sheets after Charles Leclerc’s lap was deleted for exceeding track limits. The setback denies Ferrari another opportunity to improve its benchmark, while highlighting how crucial track-limit compliance will be at the Circuit of The Americas. With qualifying approaching, drivers will need to balance outright pace with keeping their laps within the permitted track boundaries.
23:50 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Norris Moves Up to Fourth
Lando Norris has improved to fourth place for McLaren, although he remains more than four-tenths of a second off the fastest time set by Lewis Hamilton. The improvement is an encouraging sign for McLaren, but Norris will need to find more pace if he wants to challenge Ferrari and Red Bull at the front ahead of qualifying.
23:47 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Hamilton Goes Fastest as Ferrari Shows Its Pace
Lewis Hamilton has become the first driver to break into the 1:34s during FP3 at the Circuit of The Americas. The Ferrari driver goes nearly two-tenths of a second quicker than Max Verstappen, putting Ferrari back at the front and raising hopes of a strong qualifying performance.
Attention now turns to Charles Leclerc to see whether he can improve further and match or beat his teammate’s benchmark. With the leading drivers closely matched, the final practice session is shaping up to be an intriguing battle ahead of qualifying.
23:46 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Verstappen Takes the Lead as Antonelli’s Lap Is Deleted
Max Verstappen has moved to the top of the FP3 timing sheets, edging Charles Leclerc by less than a tenth of a second. The Red Bull driver has reclaimed the fastest time after Kimi Antonelli’s lap, which had briefly put him ahead, was deleted for exceeding track limits at the Circuit of The Americas.
Antonelli’s deleted lap is a setback for Mercedes, while Verstappen and Leclerc remain closely matched at the front. With the final practice session continuing, the battle for the fastest time remains tight ahead of qualifying.
23:44 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Antonelli Goes Fastest
Kimi Antonelli has moved to the top of the FP3 timing sheets with a lap time of 1:35.015, edging Charles Leclerc by around a tenth of a second. George Russell sits third, 0.366 seconds off the pace, giving Mercedes a strong showing as the final practice session enters its closing stages at the Circuit of The Americas.
23:40 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Final 20 Minutes Begin
The final 20 minutes of FP3 are underway at the Circuit of The Americas, with teams preparing to shift their focus towards qualifying simulations. Track activity could briefly quieten as drivers return to the garages before heading out for their final runs, when teams will look to assess one-lap pace ahead of the fight for pole position.
23:37 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Leclerc Comes Within 0.007s of His Best Lap
Charles Leclerc has come remarkably close to improving his fastest lap, missing his existing benchmark by just 0.007 seconds. The Ferrari driver continues to look competitive at the Circuit of The Americas, showing strong pace as FP3 progresses. Keeping his laps within track limits remains crucial as he looks to maintain his advantage ahead of qualifying.
23:32 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Hamilton Sets a Personal Best
Lewis Hamilton has improved to second place with a personal-best lap while continuing a long run on the soft tyres. However, he remains nearly three-tenths of a second behind Charles Leclerc, and the lap was Hamilton’s tenth on that tyre compound. Ferrari will be watching closely to see how the two drivers’ pace compares as FP3 continues.
23:30 —F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Antonelli and Verstappen Improve
Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen have both improved their lap times, moving up to second and fourth respectively. Their progress puts pressure on Charles Leclerc at the front, although Ferrari’s current advantage could still prove significant as teams continue their final practice runs.
23:30 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Leclerc Extends His Advantage
Charles Leclerc has moved four-tenths of a second clear at the top of the FP3 timing sheets, strengthening Ferrari’s position as the session progresses. With Mercedes and Red Bull also finding improvements, the battle for the fastest time at the Circuit of The Americas is beginning to take shape ahead of qualifying.
23:20 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Verstappen Takes the Lead
Max Verstappen has moved to the top of the FP3 timing sheets at the Circuit of The Americas with a lap time of 1:35.702 on the yellow-walled medium tyres. The Red Bull driver is five-tenths of a second clear of Oscar Piastri, who currently sits in second place as the pace begins to pick up in the final practice session.
23:19 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Norris Loses Fastest Lap to Track Limits
Lando Norris briefly went quickest in FP3 at the Circuit of The Americas, gaining around three-tenths over the previous benchmark. However, his lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits, handing the advantage back to Liam Lawson, who is currently the fastest driver according to the live timing update.
23:16 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Hamilton and Verstappen Join the Action
The Circuit of The Americas is finally coming alive, with 16 drivers now out on track for the F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 session. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are among those who have joined the action as teams begin gathering valuable data ahead of qualifying.
23:11 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Bottas Becomes Fourth Driver on Track
Ten minutes into FP3, Valtteri Bottas has joined the action at the Circuit of The Americas, bringing the total number of cars on track to four. The session is still in its early stages, with most drivers yet to head out as teams begin their final practice preparations ahead of qualifying.
23:07 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Gasly Joins the Action on Track
Pierre Gasly has joined the action at the Circuit of The Americas, bringing the number of cars on track to three as the final practice session gets underway. Most of the field is still waiting in the garages, with drivers and teams likely assessing their initial plans before committing to their first runs of FP3.
23:03 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Green Light as Final Practice Begins
The green light is on at the Circuit of The Americas, with the final practice session of the F1 United States GP 2026 officially underway. Drivers can now head out on track to fine-tune their setups and prepare for qualifying, with attention on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton and their rivals as the weekend’s competitive picture continues to develop.
23:00 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Final Practice Gets Underway
The wait is almost over as the final practice session of the F1 United States GP 2026 gets underway at the Circuit of The Americas. Teams and drivers will be keen to make the most of the remaining track time, with attention on whether Charles Leclerc can maintain Ferrari’s Friday advantage or if Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli can close the gap before qualifying.
22:56 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Can Hamilton Benefit from Leclerc’s Setup?
Ferrari opted for significantly different car setups for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc during Friday’s practice sessions, but the results favoured Leclerc. The Monegasque driver topped both FP1 and FP2, while Hamilton struggled to match his teammate’s pace at the Circuit of The Americas.
Hamilton moving closer to Leclerc’s setup could help him find more performance ahead of qualifying. If the adjustments work as expected, Ferrari could potentially have both drivers challenging near the front, strengthening its chances in the fight for pole position.
22:50 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: 10-Minute Warning Before Final Practice
The countdown is on for the final practice session at the Circuit of The Americas, with FP3 set to give teams one last opportunity to fine-tune their cars before qualifying. Attention will be on whether Charles Leclerc can maintain Ferrari’s strong Friday pace or if Mercedes and Red Bull can close the gap.
With qualifying approaching, teams will be looking to make the most of the remaining track time and assess their cars’ performance. FP3 should provide a clearer picture of the competitive order ahead of the fight for pole position.
22:37 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Three Drivers Handed Grid Penalties
Gabriel Bortoleto, Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad have all received grid penalties for power unit changes ahead of the F1 United States Grand Prix. According to Formula 1’s official announcement, Bortoleto faces a 20-place penalty, Colapinto a 10-place penalty and Lindblad a five-place penalty.
These penalties will affect their starting positions for the race and add another factor to the weekend’s grid calculations. The final impact will depend on the qualifying results and the applicable grid-penalty rules.
22:34 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Hamilton Set for Major Ferrari Setup Changes
Lewis Hamilton is expected to make significant setup changes ahead of Saturday’s on-track action at the United States Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver was off the pace during Friday’s practice sessions, leaving the team with plenty of work to do before the final practice session at the Circuit of The Americas.
RacingNews365 highlighted the work required on Hamilton’s side of the garage as Ferrari looks to improve his performance. The changes could help him find more pace ahead of qualifying, but FP3 will be crucial in assessing whether the adjustments deliver the desired improvement.
22:26 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Verstappen Raises Concerns Over COTA Bumps
Max Verstappen remains unhappy with the bumpy track surface at the Circuit of The Americas. During Thursday’s media day, the Red Bull driver described the circuit’s condition as unacceptable, and his concerns continued on Friday.
The bumps could remain a factor during qualifying and Sunday’s race, potentially affecting car setup and performance. Excessive plank wear could also become an issue, making it important for teams to manage their cars carefully over the uneven surface.
22:21 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Mercedes Shows Signs of Progress
Mercedes struggled to challenge for the leading positions after introducing a significant upgrade package in Malaysia. However, Friday’s running at the Circuit of The Americas offered encouraging signs, with the team appearing more competitive with its updated car.
The improved pace raises the possibility that Mercedes is beginning to unlock the potential of its recent upgrades. FP3 will provide another opportunity to assess whether the team can maintain that progress and challenge Ferrari and Red Bull ahead of qualifying.
22:13 — F1 United States GP 2026 FP3 LIVE: Is Leclerc the Driver to Beat?
Charles Leclerc enjoyed a stellar Friday at the Circuit of The Americas, topping both the first and second practice sessions. His impressive pace has put the Ferrari driver among the early favourites for pole position ahead of qualifying at the F1 United States GP 2026.
Leclerc also held an advantage of several tenths over Lewis Hamilton, highlighting the pace difference between the two drivers on Friday. However, the final practice session will offer another opportunity for teams to assess their performance before qualifying.
FP3 is scheduled to begin at 11:00 PM IST on Saturday, October 24. Follow this live blog for confirmed updates from the session, with qualifying scheduled for 2:30 AM IST on Sunday, October 25.
Also Read: Honda Marks 500 F1 Races With Special Aston Martin AMR26 Logo
AID Editorial Desk covers the latest automotive news, car and bike launches, EVs, technology, buying guides and motorsport for Auto India Daily.