2026 F1 Round 18, United States GP FP3: Hamilton fastest ahead of Verstappen

Third practice for the 2026 F1 United States Grand Prix, round 18, concluded around midday on October 24, local time, at Austin's Circuit of the Americas. Lewis Hamilton led in 1:34.893, with Max Verstappen 0.168 seconds behind and Charles Leclerc third. Leclerc had topped FP1 and FP2, with Hamilton fastest in FP3, giving Ferrari drivers the best lap in all three free-practice sessions.

Ferrari drivers take turns at the front as track limits shape valid results

F1's official account and the FIA results showed a quiet opening, with several drivers waiting before leaving the pits. Verstappen then set an early benchmark of 1:35.702 on mediums, before Hamilton surpassed it after switching to softs. Different compounds were in use during that phase, and the lead changed as flying laps were completed.

Midway through practice, Leclerc returned to the top with 1:35.127 on mediums. In the later soft-tire runs, Antonelli briefly went fastest in 1:35.015, but the lap was deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 9. Track limits define the boundaries drivers must respect; a lap exceeding them cannot count toward the order.

Hamilton then set the session's only valid lap in the 1:34s. Leclerc also recorded 1:34.810, 0.083 seconds faster than his teammate, but lost that lap to track limits too. His retained best was still the medium-tire 1:35.127, 0.234 seconds behind Hamilton.

Mercedes fourth and fifth as Audi reaches the top seven

Antonelli's valid time was 1:35.196 for fourth. Russell was fifth, 0.488 seconds behind Hamilton, followed by Piastri in sixth and Hülkenberg's Audi seventh. Norris, Gasly and Hadjar completed the top ten, covered by 1.037 seconds.

In the lower half, Racing Bulls drivers Lawson and Lindblad were eleventh and twelfth. Williams' Albon and Sainz finished nineteenth and twentieth, with the Cadillacs last. Pérez completed 25 laps, the most recorded in the session; Verstappen, Antonelli and Piastri each completed 16.

The session's clearest distinction was between the fastest attempt and the final valid lap. Leclerc's deleted time could have changed the leader, while Antonelli also lost a chance to top the order. Hamilton converted speed into a valid result. Ferrari being fastest in all three practice sessions still needs to be distinguished from qualifying, which determines the starting order.

FP3 results