F1 US GP LIVE: Friday practice updates from COTA

Verstappen complaining about something "not free" in the steering column over the radio, seemingly an issue that is affecting him more in left-handers - this is an anti-clockwise layout.

 Tom Hart is on the other end of the phone for him this weekend, a look ahead to the future when Gianpiero Lambiase leaves at the end of this season.

FP1 start

Pit lane has opened at COTA and we are underway for FP1. Several drivers heading straight out, led by Colapinto. 

Herta in for this FP1 session at Cadillac and he's straight out with a sizeable aero rake.

Low grip mode test

This just in from the FIA, a test will be run at the end of FP1 for a new low grip mode software update:

"As part of the ongoing refinements to the Power Unit software for low grip mode, the FIA together with the teams and Power Unit manufacturers will run a simulation at the end of FP1, with cars running on low grip mode, using specific driver inputs during the in-lap to test additional software protections. This will mean that cars will be running for a short distance at low speed at Turn 15 at the end of the session."

Track surface issues

COTA's track surface has developed a reputation for its roughness over the last 14 years since it debuted in F1. Criticism has been especially brutal this weekend, with both Max Verstappen and Lando Norris weighing in on the subject yesterday.

Verstappen said the bumps are "out of control", while Norris reckons the surface isn't up to modern standards for F1.

Can Antonelli win the title early?

Kimi Antonelli has a mathematical title chance this weekend, although it's a long shot.

He's currently 102 points clear and needs to be 125 clear after this weekend to be champion, with five races remaining in 2026 after the US GP.

All you need to know about how Antonelli can be champion here.