By: This weekend, Austin will host the opening round of the American triple-header, which also includes races in Mexico City and São Paulo. The Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas is also the second of three events to be held in the United States, following Miami, which took place earlier this year, and ahead of Las Vegas, scheduled for late November.
For this edition of the United States Grand Prix, Pirelli has selected the C2 as the Hard, the C3 as the Medium and the C4 as the Soft, reverting to a compound combination used in the past after the 2025 experiment. Last year, the C1 was nominated as the hardest tyre but was not used in the race, as teams favoured one-stop strategies using the softer C3 and C4 compounds.
Compared with 2025, the weekend also returns to the traditional format without a Sprint. Teams will therefore have three practice sessions to work on car balance and optimise their set-ups at a circuit that does not demand particularly extreme compromises.
The 5.513-kilometre Austin circuit features a mix of high-speed corners, rapid changes of direction and slower sections that demand strong traction. To be competitive, teams must combine good straight-line speed with efficient aerodynamic downforce through the more technical sections, an aspect made even more important by the current generation of Formula 1 cars.
From a tyre perspective, COTA places both axles under considerable strain. In the first sector, characterised by fast corners and changes of direction inspired by some of Europe’s great circuits, the front tyres will be put under particular stress. In the third sector, meanwhile, the many acceleration zones out of slow corners will tend to generate thermal degradation, especially on the rear tyres.
The asphalt surface is not particularly abrasive. A section of the circuit between Turns 9 and 11 was resurfaced at the start of this year. However, the effects of ageing on the rest of the track remain significant and contribute to high levels of wear. It is this latter factor, rather than graining, that is a concern and could therefore prove key over the weekend.
Track grip is generally good, helped by the support categories, including the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, which has been equipped by Pirelli since the start of this year. Track evolution, on the other hand, has traditionally not been among the most pronounced on the calendar.
From a strategic standpoint, the presence of the C2 as the hard compound could favour long stints, offering teams a valid option for what will probably be a one-stop race. However, the high temperatures that typically characterise a Texan weekend must also be taken into account, as they could increase degradation and open the door to alternative strategies.
Last year
The most common strategy at last year’s United States Grand Prix was Medium-Soft, adopted by 13 drivers. Among the podium finishers, Charles Leclerc was the exception, taking third place after choosing to start on Soft tyres to gain an initial grip advantage. Only three drivers towards the back of the grid started on the Hard tyres.
A special podium cap
A special cap created by designer Denis Dekovic for Pirelli Design will also feature on the United States Grand Prix podium. The cap features a pattern inspired by the stars of the American flag, enhanced by two symbols of the Texan desert landscape: cacti and rattlesnakes. The word “Austin” appears on the black peak and, as usual, it is already available to purchase through Pirelli’s e-commerce platform.
Photo f1pressarea.pirelli.com
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the United States GP 2026
