US Grand Prix: Pirelli goes back to C2-C4 at resurfaced COTA as MotoGP bikes join the show
Pirelli has dropped last year's compound gap in Austin, new asphalt covers Turns 9-11, and four MotoGP bikes run on Saturday before softer tyres arrive in Mexico and Brazil.
Some track and tyre conditions at the United States Grand Prix in Austin will be different from 2025. Pirelli has returned to a consecutive set of tyre compounds, part of the Circuit of the Americas has been resurfaced, and on Saturday four MotoGP bikes will run on an F1 weekend for the first time. Here is what has changed for 23-25 October, plus the tyre choices for the next two rounds.
Back to C2, C3 and C4
Pirelli has brought the C2 as the Hard, the C3 as the Medium and the C4 as the Soft. Last year it left a gap in Austin, with the C1 as the Hard alongside the C3 and C4. The teams barely used the hardest tyre, and the Medium-Soft combination was the most common race strategy. Moving to consecutive compounds should give strategists a more useful Hard tyre and a better chance of running a one-stop race.
The 5.513 km circuit is not especially abrasive, but its bumps keep returning and add to tyre wear. Fresh asphalt has been laid between Turns 9 and 11 this year, while the rest of the surface keeps ageing. The fast esses in the first sector put heavy loads on the front tyres. The slow corners in the final sector cause thermal degradation on the rears. Pirelli expects wear, rather than graining, to be the main tyre issue, especially if the weather is hot.
Rear tyre wear could matter for Ferrari, whose SF-26 lost rear grip over long runs in Singapore. Austin is not a sprint weekend, so teams have three full practice sessions to collect long-run data before qualifying.
MotoGP machines on track before FP3
On Saturday, four premier-class MotoGP bikes will run on the circuit before final practice. The demonstration is scheduled for 11:40-12:00 local time, which is 12:40am-1:00am on Sunday in Malaysia. Liberty Media holds the commercial rights to both F1 and MotoGP, and this is the first time MotoGP machinery has appeared at a grand prix.
The riders are Dani Pedrosa on a KTM, Andrea Dovizioso on a Yamaha, and Lorenzo Savadori on a Trackhouse Aprilia. They are joined by reigning World Superbike champion Nicolò Bulega on a Ducati, who moves up to MotoGP with the VR46 team next year. MotoGP's full-time riders are at Phillip Island for the Australian round the same weekend. Pedrosa said riding at COTA is always special. The bikes will stay on display around the venue for the rest of the weekend.
Softer tyres for Mexico City and São Paulo
Pirelli has picked its softest available range, C3, C4 and C5, for both of the next races. Mexico City (30 October-1 November) also drops last year's compound gap. At high altitude, the thin air reduces downforce and cooling, and teams have usually favoured the softer tyres there.
São Paulo (6-8 November) gets the same C3-C5 set, one step softer than in 2025. Last year the Hard saw little race use at Interlagos, and the softer range is meant to open up more strategy options on a short lap where overtaking is possible.
These are the last three races in the Americas before Las Vegas and the two Gulf rounds. After Singapore, Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by 102 points. Tyre management in Austin, Mexico City and São Paulo could also affect the close constructors' fight between McLaren and Red Bull.
Key takeaways
- Pirelli brings C2 (Hard), C3 (Medium) and C4 (Soft) to Austin, dropping last year's gap at the hard end.
- New asphalt covers Turns 9 to 11 at COTA, but bumps elsewhere still add to tyre wear.
- Four MotoGP bikes will run on Saturday before FP3, at 12:40am-1:00am Sunday Malaysia time.
- Mexico City and São Paulo both use the C3-C5 range, a step softer at Interlagos than last year.
FAQ
Q: Which tyres are used at the 2026 United States Grand Prix? A: Pirelli has nominated C2 as the Hard, C3 as the Medium and C4 as the Soft.
Q: Who is riding in the MotoGP demonstration at COTA? A: Dani Pedrosa, Nicolò Bulega, Andrea Dovizioso and Lorenzo Savadori, each on a different manufacturer's bike.
Q: Is there a sprint race in Austin this year? A: No. The 2026 United States Grand Prix uses the standard format with three practice sessions.
Sources: Pirelli, Scuderia Fans, F1 in Generale, RacingNews365, PlanetF1