F1 Heads to Austin: Mercedes Blue Livery, Title Hopes, and a Week of Big News Off-Track

Formula 1 arrives in Austin, Texas this weekend for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, kicking off a triple-header that marks the final flyaway races of the 2026 season. With the championship picture still in focus, Motorsport.com identifies five key storylines to watch, including whether Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli can clinch the Formula 1 world championship on Sunday.

Mercedes is making a visual statement in Texas, unveiling a dramatic one-off blue livery developed in collaboration with MANUFAKTUR, the brand's personalisation programme. The Silver Arrows are not alone in dressing up for the occasion — Crash.net reports that a number of teams have revealed special liveries for the US GP, while Motorsport.com rounds up the broader wave of Texas-themed merchandise on display, including denim, cowboy hats, and Western-styled collections from across the paddock, with even a Godzilla-themed offering making an appearance.

Off the track, Mercedes also announced the hiring of astronaut Reid Wiseman — a veteran of a moon mission — as an ambassador for the F1 team, according to Crash.net.

Elsewhere in the news, Hockenheimring's managing directors told Motorsport.com that the German circuit is "in discussions" with Formula 1 over a potential return, though they cautioned the project remains "largely theoretical" and faces the challenge of "virtually zero" public funding. Meanwhile, Qatar's Lusail track issued a fresh update regarding its scheduled F1 and MotoGP events amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, per Crash.net. And the FIA's president outlined a timeline for agreeing a framework around the proposed reintroduction of V8 engines in Formula 1, with Crash.net reporting the governing body is pushing forward with those plans.