Austin opens the triple-header on the American continent, which also includes races in Mexico City and São Paulo. The Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas is also the second of the three events held in the United States this season, with the final American round of the year set to take place in Las Vegas.
For this edition of the United States Grand Prix, Pirelli has selected the C2 as Hard, C3 as Medium and C4 as Soft, returning to a compound combination used in the past following the 2025 experiment, when a compound step was introduced between Hard and Medium.
Last year, in fact, the C1 was nominated as the hardest tyre but was not used in the race. Teams favoured one-stop strategies, relying on the softer C3 and C4 compounds.
Compared to 2025, the weekend returns to the traditional format without a Sprint. The most recent Sprint race took place in Singapore. Teams will therefore have three free practice sessions available to work on car balance and optimise set-ups on a circuit that does not require particularly extreme compromises.
The Austin circuit, which is 5.513 kilometres long, features a mix of high-speed corners, rapid direction changes and slower sections that demand strong traction. To be competitive, teams must combine good straight-line speed with efficient aerodynamic load through the more technical sections, an aspect that becomes even more important with the current generation of Formula 1 cars.
From a tyre perspective, COTA places demands on both axles. In the first sector, characterised by fast corners and direction changes inspired by some of Europe’s great circuits, the front tyres will be placed under particular stress. In the third sector, meanwhile, the numerous acceleration zones out of slow corners will tend to generate thermal degradation primarily on the rear tyres.
The asphalt surface is not particularly abrasive. A section of the circuit between Turns 9 and 11 was resurfaced earlier this year. However, the ageing effect on the remainder of the track continues to be significant and contributes to high wear levels. Tyre wear, rather than graining, could therefore prove to be one of the key factors over the weekend. During last year's event, several tyres reached very high wear values.
Track grip is generally good, aided by the support categories, including the Porsche Carrera Cup North America, which has been supplied 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 solid option for what is likely to be a one-stop race. However, the high temperatures that typically characterise the Texan weekend must also be taken into account, as they could increase degradation and open the door to alternative strategies.
IN 2025
The most popular 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, claiming third place after choosing to start on the Soft tyre to gain an early grip advantage. Only three drivers further down the order started on the Hard compound.
STATISTICS
The United States Grand Prix has been held 13 times in Austin, but the event has a total history of 46 editions staged across six different circuits. The most successful driver in the history of the race is Lewis Hamilton, with six victories, one fewer than Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. Among constructors, Ferrari holds the record with 11 wins.
PORSCHE CARRERA CUP NORTH AMERICA
The 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup North America season, supplied by Pirelli for the first time, will conclude at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin during the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend. After extending his championship lead to 27 points at Road Atlanta, Tyler Maxson arrives at the season finale firmly at the top of the Mobil Pro class standings. However, with two races and valuable bonus points still available, Aaron Jeansonne remains firmly in contention for the title heading into the decisive Texas showdown.
PODIUM CAP SPECIAL EDITION
The United States Grand Prix features a special podium cap created by designer Denis Dekovic for Pirelli Design. The crown features a pattern inspired by the stars of the American flag, enriched with two symbols of the Texan desert landscape: cacti and rattlesnakes. The visor carries the word “Austin” on a black background. The cap is already available to purchase via Pirelli’s e-commerce platform: https://store.pirelli.com.
