Good signs from the red team: Charles the fastest, then Albon’s Williams and the Red Bulls (with Tsunoda 3rd), Hamilton 11th. Norris, who appeared very imprecise when braking, finished sixth, with Piastri finishing eighth, ahead of the Mercedes of Russell and Antonelli
Charles Leclerc immediately ahead of everyone in FP1 of the Las Vegas GP. The Ferrari driver closed the first free practice on the American circuit with the best time: 1’34″802. The Monegasque preceded Alexander Albon’s Williams by 166 thousandths. Behind the Thai came the Red Bulls. Yuki Tsunoda (+0.269) placed ahead of the outgoing champion Max Verstappen (+0.307). The Dutchman tried to keep his last world championship hopes alive, also because the McLarens did not shine. Sixth Lando Norris, leader of the F1 World Championship, appeared very imprecise in braking; Oscar Piastri is eighth, also preceded by Isack Hadjar’s Racing Bulls. Andrea Kimi Antonelli leaves the Ferrari driven by Lewis Hamilton behind.
verstappen ahead
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The track was initially very slippery, as noted by the pilots over the radio in the first few minutes. There is a lot of sand on the asphalt, often kicked up as cars pass by. Everyone chooses medium compound tyres, except Alonso and Hulkenberg. Fernando takes to the track with soft tyres; Nico, on the other hand, focuses on the hard option. In general we try to become familiar with the track, working on the rhythm. At the end of the first 30 minutes, Verstappen commands. The Dutchman on Red Bull signed the fastest lap in 1’35″776. Leclerc’s Ferrari follows, ahead of the Mercedes driven by Russell. Fourth time for Tsunoda (Red Bull), who precedes an excellent Sainz (Williams), while Hamilton is sixth. And the McLarens? Seventh place, while the world leader Norris does not seem precise, finishing eleventh. Between the two “Papaya” drivers are Antonelli (Mercedes), Stroll (Aston Martin) and Lawson (Racing Bulls).
leclerc flicker
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In the second part of the session we switch to soft tyres, thus working towards qualifying. Meanwhile, the McLarens’ difficulties continue, especially when it comes to dealing with the deceleration phase. Norris makes two mistakes when braking at the same point, namely turn 12, while Piastri still doesn’t seem comfortable. The fastest lap was set by Leclerc, ahead of Albon, Tsunoda and Verstappen. Excellent fifth time for Sainz, ahead of Norris’ McLaren. Then Hadjar and Piastri. Mercedes close the top 10 with Russell ninth and Antonelli tenth. Hamilton is eleventh ahead of Gasly, Lawson as well as the Aston Martins of Alonso and Stroll. The Haas led by Bearman and Ocon, the Saubers of Hulkenberg and Bortoleto and the Alpine of Colapinto close the ranking.
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