REUTERS/Ng Han Guan
Oct 23, 2026 1:00 PM
Has it ever rained in a Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin?
Formula 1 almost always races in favorable conditions at the United States Grand Prix. The race at the Circuit of The Americas is usually held in mid-to-late October. Austin can still experience summer-like heat in October, but temperatures are typically manageable for the drivers.
As for this weekend, we're expecting the same favorable conditions from Free Practice 1 to the main race. Here's what the current weather forecast looks like:
- Friday (October 23): Dry conditions are expected during Free Practice 1 and 2 on Friday. Temperatures could reach up to 29°C, with a zero percent chance of rain.
- Saturday (October 24): The same dry conditions are expected during Free Practice 3 and Qualifying on Saturday. It will be partly to mostly cloudy, with highs of around 29 to 30°C.
- Sunday (October 25): There's a very low risk of rain on Sunday, which sits around 0-15%. It will be mostly cloudy during the race, with highs of around 27°C.
The dry conditions in COTA this weekend should support consistent dry running. Drivers and strategists will shift their focus to tyre management. There might be a whole lot of degradation on the abrasive older asphalt sections of the track.
What did the weather look like in the last five US GPs?
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won four of the last five races in Austin. Drivers competed under warm conditions in those five races, with the exception of the 2023 US GP's extreme heat and the light rain that began falling during the closing moments of the 2021 qualifying.
Historically, rain is very scarce when Formula 1 drivers race here. Well, except for that one year.
The wet conditions during the 2015 US Grand Prix
In 2015, the remnants of Hurricane Patricia forced F1 and local organizers to cancel Free Practice 3. Qualifying was also postponed to Sunday morning after repeated delays on Saturday.
However, heavy rain hit Sunday's qualifying sessions, with drivers complaining of low grip and aquaplaning. Eventually, Q3 was cancelled, so the grid was set using the Q2 results.
The race itself proved to be difficult, with a total of eight drivers retiring. Then Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton won the race by more than two seconds over teammate Nico Rosberg. Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel grabbed the final podium place, while Verstappen (STR Renault) and Force India Mercedes' Sergio Perez rounded out the Top 5.
The wind could also be a factor
Austin in late October has moderate average sustained winds, but the track is more wind-sensitive than most of its counterparts. Drivers describe COTA as very wind-sensitive, especially in the high-speed esses from Turns 3 to 9. This can unsettle a car mid-corner and change its balance.
Gusty winds could be impactful, especially during qualifying on Saturday, when drivers need more braking stability and aerodynamic balance.
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