Charles Leclerc completed a perfect Friday at the 2026 F1 United States Grand Prix by edging Andrea Kimi Antonelli to set the fastest lap during FP2 at COTA by only 0.042s.

Ferrari carried the momentum into FP2 after Charles Leclerc had led the way in the opening practice session at the Circuit of the Americas ahead of Red Bull rival Max Verstappen. Only 0.084s separated the pair at the top of the timesheets, with Leclerc setting a 1:36.052 in P1.

Leclerc topped FP1 at the United States GP with Ferrari’s heavily updated SF-26, too. The Scuderia have unveiled a host of aerodynamic upgrades in Austin, Texas, with what is due to be their final major upgrade package this year – incorporating a new floorboard and diffuser.

Verstappen was heavily involved in the battle for P1 in FP1, and he was also quickly involved in the action in FP2 after almost tangling with Racing Bulls racer Liam Lawson at Turn 1. The Dutchman wasted no time to get past the Kiwi on the exit of the pit lane, but the latter did not appear to be fully aware of the four-time F1 champion then straddling the outside kerb.

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was also finding the limits early, as the Briton ran wide exiting Turn 19 in the opening moments of FP2. Williams ace Alex Albon also had a big lock-up into Turn 16, as the London-born Thai strived to get back on track after his heavily disrupted FP1.

It would not be Albon’s sole lock-up into the tricky braking zone for the left-hand T16, either. And issues continued to thwart Williams during FP2 at the United States GP, as Carlos Sainz later groaned over the radio: “The car is a mess right now. I have no confidence in the rear.” Albon likely lacked confidence, too, as the 30-year-old later had a massive snap in Turn 5.

Turn 20 also claimed an early victim, as reigning F1 champion Lando Norris of McLaren ran straight on at the final corner during an early push lap. Mercedes racer George Russell was the thorn in Ferrari star Leclerc’s side, in contrast, after the Briton’s reluctance to allow the Monegasque through whilst on different run plans resulted in the latter going wide at T18.

Leclerc was not yet alongside Russell when the Briton started to drift across the circuit on the natural racing line through the double-apex right-hander. But the stewards put Russell under investigation for forcing another driver of the track, given that Leclerc was forced to take avoiding action. Ultimately, the stewards decided to take no further action on Russell.

Russell had largely made a solid start to FP2 at the United States GP while the field were still predominantly using the medium C3 Pirelli tyres, as he set the early benchmark pace with a 1:36.035 lap. Verstappen took the top spot off Russell by 0.101s when he set a 1:35.934 lap.

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The switch to the soft C4 compound Pirelli tyres then saw Verstappen lower the benchmark to a 1:35.480, too. Yet soft tyres also brought Ferrari back to the party, as Leclerc climbed into P1 with a 1:35.291. At the same time, Isack Hadjar took to Red Bull’s radio to grieve the “disgusting” handling of his RB22 at low-speed, which his engineer also called “horrendous”.

Mercedes also started to find their stride with the soft C4 Pirelli tyres, as drivers’ champion-elect Andrea Kimi Antonelli jumped up the order to P2 with a 1:35.333. Russell, on the other hand, was having further troubles, as the Briton had a big snap of oversteer through Turn 5.

Even two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin took issue with the Mercedes man during FP2 at COTA this Friday. After catching Russell driving slowly into the final corner while Alonso was on a push lap, the Spaniard sarcastically suggested “Bravo” over his radio.

Full COTA FP2 results at the 2026 F1 United States Grand Prix