LAS VEGAS GP – Lewis Hamilton leads Mercedes one-two going four-tenths faster than George Russell in first practice
Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two in first practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the seven-time champion set a 35.001 in the closing moments of the session putting himself nearly four-tenths faster than teammate George Russell. The opening session of the weekend was defined by rapid track evolution as drivers suffered with to get to grip with the low grip circuit.
The Silver Arrows took advantage of fitting the softest – and fastest – tyre compound in the closing stages of the session on a rapidly improving surface under the city’s stunning lights to finish well clear of the rest of the field.
The extraordinary nature of the event, which sees Las Vegas’ famous Strip shut down to allow F1 to take over for three November nights, results in the circuit being far more dirty than the drivers are used to. The opening session began with a chorus of complaints over radio, with Verstappen comparing the conditions to “driving on ice”.
It’s a boost for the Silver Arrows after winning three of the four races in July, they have slipped to fourth in the performance, the challenge for the team is avoiding the trap they have fallen into recently of being quick in practice but falling away in qualifying.
The seven-time champion fastest time was nine-tenths faster than the benchmark set by Max Verstappen on the first runs. Verstappen’s championship rival Lando Norris was third almost six-tenths behind Russel and a second off Hamilton, allowing the English trio to lock out the top three, the McLaren driver was half a tenth ahead of Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc improved on his earlier headliner to claim fourth ahead of Carlos Sainz, although the Ferraris ended up sandwiching Verstappen as the championship leader improved to fifth overall. Norris’ championship rival Verstappen was fifth, the Red Bull splitting the two Ferrari’s going nearly half a tent ahead of Sainz.
The Dutchman goes into this weekend with the opportunity to seal his fourth title, but he must finish ahead of Norris and in the points. Verstappen improved his time by eight seconds throughout the session.
Sainz was just over a tenth and a half ahead of the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri, Ferrari go into this weekend as the favourites given their performance last season and at street circuits plus their strong run of results following the autumn break. Ferrari is looking to close the thirty-six-point gap to Red Bull for second in the constructors.
Sainz was nearly half a tenth faster than his fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso, while the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri was nearly two-tenths behind. Pierre Gasly was ninth going six hundredths faster than Sergio Perez as they completed the top ten.
The extraordinary nature of the event, which sees Las Vegas’ famous Strip shut down to allow F1 to take over for three November nights, results in the circuit being far more dirty than the drivers are used to. The opening session began with a chorus of complaints over radio, with Verstappen comparing the conditions to “driving on ice”.
However, the session had drama though not to the extent of the problems caused by drain covers in FP1 last year. Some lines had to be repainted after drivers expressed concerns about not being able to see the white lines on pit entry.
Kevin Magnussen missed out on the top ten by over a quarter of a second, the Haas driver just six thousandths faster than Lance Stroll, while Alex Albon was thirteenth ahead of Esteban Ocon. Albon and his Williams teammate Franco Colapinto were caught out and given a reprimand for crossing the white lines.
Esteban Ocon was fourteenth going over half a second faster than Nico Hulkenberg, Valtteri Bottas and Colapinto, who was a quarter of a second behind. The Argentine split the two Sauber’s as he went three tenths faster than Guanyu Zhou. The RB’s completed the field with Yuki Tsunoda just over a tenth and a half faster than teammate Liam Lawson.