Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc recorded the fastest time in the first Formula 1 free practice session held on October 23, 2026, opening the activities for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. The Monegasque driver completed his best lap in 1min36s052.
Right behind him, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen took second place with a time of 1min36s136, finishing 84 milliseconds behind Leclerc. The third position went to McLaren driver Lando Norris, with a mark of 1min36s297.
Fourth and fifth places went to Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, respectively. Russell clocked 1min36s378, while Antonelli marked 1min36s533. Multi-champion Lewis Hamilton, also from Ferrari, finished in sixth place with a time of 1min36s555, followed by McLaren's Oscar Piastri, who was seventh with 1min36s786.
Among the Brazilians, Gabriel Bortoleto stood out by closing the session with the eighth-best lap, registering 1min36s995. The Audi driver started the activities with strong marks on his first lap and maintained a consistent pace until the end of the session.
