Lewis Hamilton ended Ferrari’s flawless run in practice sessions at the 2026 Formula 1® United States Grand Prix by setting the fastest time in the final practice (FP3) at Circuit of the Americas. Despite Ferrari’s strong pace throughout the weekend, Hamilton’s lap of 1m34.893s was the only one to break the 1m35s barrier in the last 20 minutes of FP3.
Ferrari had dominated the earlier practice sessions, topping both FP1 and FP2, with Charles Leclerc showing competitive speed. However, Leclerc was unable to surpass Hamilton in FP3 due to multiple lap deletions for exceeding track limits. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing secured the second fastest time with 1m35.061s, although he faced challenges with unsettling downshifts during the session. Mercedes drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell completed the top five, demonstrating the tight competition among the leading teams.
The final practice session highlighted the closely matched performance levels of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull Racing ahead of qualifying. Track limits proved to be a significant factor, with several drivers, including Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Hamilton himself, losing lap times due to violations. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri struggled somewhat with the handling of the MCL40, finishing sixth fastest. Other notable participants included Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, all contributing to a diverse and competitive field.
Hamilton’s performance in FP3 interrupted Ferrari’s perfect practice record but did not diminish the Italian team’s evident pace. Leclerc’s inability to improve his time due to track limits underlined the fine margins drivers face at this demanding circuit. Verstappen’s second place, despite technical difficulties, showed Red Bull Racing remains a strong contender in the mix. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ young talent Antonelli impressed with a solid fourth place, closely followed by Russell.
Track limits were a recurring theme throughout the session, affecting multiple drivers and emphasizing the challenge of maintaining precision at Circuit of the Americas. The session’s results suggest a highly competitive qualifying session, with the top teams separated by fractions of a second. The presence of drivers from teams like Alpine, Haas, Aston Martin, Williams, Cadillac, and Racing Bulls added further depth to the practice running, reflecting a broad and competitive grid.
The final practice session at the United States Grand Prix provided a clear indication of the competitive balance among the frontrunners. Hamilton’s lap time set a benchmark that Ferrari and Red Bull Racing will aim to challenge in qualifying, while Mercedes showed signs of closing the gap. The session also highlighted the importance of track discipline, as track limits infringements cost several drivers valuable time. This balance of speed and precision will be crucial as the weekend progresses.