Charles Leclerc Sets the Pace in Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 1
In an exhilarating start to the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc dominated Free Practice 1, finishing the session with a remarkably swift time of 1m 34.802s. This impressive performance positioned him ahead of competitors like Williams’ Alex Albon and Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda, signaling Ferrari’s potential for a strong showing on this high-speed, low-downforce circuit.
Drivers’ Initial Impressions
The session kicked off with all 20 drivers taking to the track within the opening minutes. Cold temperatures and a somewhat dirty but dry surface presented a unique challenge, setting the stage for a gripping hour of racing action. Early on, veterans Lewis Hamilton and Ollie Bearman impressed with some minor slides, while championship contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced difficulties, finding themselves off the pace.
The Battle for Fastest Laps
Leclerc’s pace was evident early in the session, as he first clocked a sub-1:36 lap at 1m 35.954s on medium Pirelli tyres just 20 minutes in. His main rival, Max Verstappen, soon followed suit, edging slightly ahead with a near-identical time, further igniting their ongoing rivalry. As teams began switching focus to softer tyres to improve lap times, Leclerc quickly reasserted his dominance, with Hamilton also showing promise by posting a 1m 35.561s.
Exploring the Limits
As the session progressed, various drivers continued to push their limits. Noteworthy moments included Oscar Piastri and Fernando Alonso running wide at crucial corners, highlighting how challenging track position was on the 3.85-mile circuit. Leclerc and Verstappen engaged in a tit-for-tat battle for the fastest lap, with Verstappen momentarily taking the lead with a 1m 35.109s, just a hair ahead of Leclerc’s latest effort.
Close Calls and Lock-Ups
Championship leader Lando Norris faced his own hurdles, having a close brush with the wall at Turn 9 before running wide at Turn 12. As strategies evolved, Tsunoda briefly claimed the top spot with 15 minutes remaining, only to spark further competition among his fellow drivers. In a dramatic finish to the session, Leclerc set the bar higher once more, closing out with his standout time while Albon experienced a heavy lock-up into Turn 12.
Session Outcomes and Highlights
The final standings saw Leclerc leading the pack, with Albon following closely behind and Tsunoda edging past Verstappen by a narrow margin. Carlos Sainz executed an impressive performance, finishing ahead of both McLaren drivers, Norris and Piastri, underscoring Ferrari’s resurgence in competitiveness.
As the session concluded, George Russell, last year’s victor in Las Vegas, settled for ninth, trailing behind his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s performance in 11th was a notable concern as he found himself seven-tenths adrift of Leclerc’s time, posing questions about Mercedes’ race pace.
Looking Ahead
With Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounding out the top tier and a mix of Haas, Aston Martin, and other competitors filling the standings, the drivers and teams prepared for subsequent sessions, eager to refine their strategies and improve upon their performances. The anticipation for Free Practice 2 heightened as all eyes turned to see if Leclerc and Ferrari could maintain their edge in this high-stakes showdown under the Las Vegas lights.