After a long stint overseas, Formula 1 is finally returning the States. This weekend’s qualifying in Austin will determine who has best positioning for Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.
The U.S. Grand Prix is the second of three races that will take place in the country this year, with November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix still to come. All the action will get started with a qualifying round at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas.
With knockout-style qualification, drivers’ performance will be crucial on Saturday, as it will determine the starting grid and pole position. Mercedes‘ Kimi Antonelli is still the one to lookout for, and if his dominance continues, he could be on track to becoming the youngest champion in F1 history.
Be sure to tune in for all the action from Austin.
Here’s how to watch the United States Grand Prix qualifying for free, including streaming options and start time for the Formula 1 race.
How to watch F1 United States Grand Prix qualifying 2026 without cable
In the United States, Apple TV has the exclusive rights to F1 for the 2026 season.
New subscribers to Apple TV can sign up for a 7-day FREE trial. If you’ve bought an eligible Apple device recently, you can also get up to three months of the streaming service totally free. After that, the subscription will cost $14.99/month.
For the 2026 season, Apple TV will host all Free Practice, Qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix with select races and all Free Practice sessions throughout the season available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.
F1 TV Premium, F1’s own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the US via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe.
United States Grand Prix qualifying 2026 start time
The 2026 United States Grand Prix qualifying will take place at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX on Saturday, Oct. 24 and will begin at 4 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that start time translates across North America:
| Date | Start time | |
| Eastern Time | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 5 p.m. |
| Central Time | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 4 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 3 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 2 p.m. |
Formula 1 2026 calendar and schedule 2026
| Date | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 6-8 | Australia | Melbourne |
| March 13-15 | China | Shanghai (Sprint) |
| March 27-29 | Japan | Suzuka |
| May 1-3 | USA | Miami (Sprint) |
| May 22-24 | Canada | Montreal (Sprint) |
| June 5-7 | Monaco | Monaco |
| June 12-14 | Spain | Barcelona-Catalunya |
| June 26-28 | Austria | Spielberg |
| July 3-5 | Great Britain | Silverstone (Sprint) |
| July 17-19 | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps |
| July 24-26 | Hungary | Budapest |
| August 21-23 | Netherlands | Zandvoort (Sprint) |
| September 4-6 | Italy | Monza |
| September 11-13 | Spain | Madrid* |
| September 24-26 | Azerbaijan | Baku |
| October 2-4 | Malaysia (Bahrain) | Sepang |
| October 9-11 | Singapore | Singapore (Sprint) |
| October 23-25 | USA | Austin |
| October 30 – November 1 | Mexico | Mexico City |
| November 6-8 | Brazil | Sao Paulo |
| November 19-21 | USA | Las Vegas |
| November 27-29 | Qatar | Lusail |
| December 4-6 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
