Las Vegas Grand Prix: FP3 Live Updates and Preview
Formula 1 teams face their final practice session (FP3) at the challenging Las Vegas Street Circuit before qualifying. Drivers are battling extremely slippery conditions, with McLaren's Lando Norris leading the championship and showcasing strong pace in FP2. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also demonstrated speed, setting the fastest time in FP1. With the championship battle heating up, FP3 offers a critical last chance for setup optimization ahead of a crucial qualifying under the lights.
Teams are gearing up for the final Free Practice session at the slippery Las Vegas Street Circuit before the crucial qualifying rounds. Drivers have one more hour to fine-tune their cars and strategies, following a challenging day marked by tricky conditions and a red-flagged FP2.
Why it matters:
With qualifying just hours away, FP3 is the last chance for teams to optimize their car setups and for drivers to gain confidence on the unique, low-grip Las Vegas street circuit. Mastering these conditions will be key to securing a strong grid position, which is particularly vital on a track where overtaking might prove challenging.
The details:
- FP1 Highlights: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) led the first practice session, demonstrating early pace, followed by Alex Albon (Williams) and Yuki Tsunoda (RB).
- FP2 Disruptions: The second practice was significantly impacted by a red flag due to a manhole cover issue, leading to reduced running time. Lando Norris (McLaren) ultimately topped this session, ahead of Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes junior) and Leclerc.
- Low-Grip Conditions: Drivers universally reported extremely slippery track conditions, a common characteristic of new street circuits that tend to 'rubber in' over the weekend.
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) noted, "It was very slippery, very, very slippery, but the track ramped up quite quick." He also expressed satisfaction with his car's initial setup, suggesting minimal changes for FP3.
- Session Timings (GMT):
- Free Practice 3: Friday 21 November, 00:30 to 01:30
- Qualifying: Friday 21 November, 04:00 to 05:00
- Race: Saturday 22 November, 04:00 to 06:00
The big picture:
Las Vegas marks the start of the final triple-header of the 2025 season, followed by Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The championship standings are tightly contested, adding an extra layer of pressure to performances this weekend.
- Championship Leader: Lando Norris (McLaren) currently leads the drivers' standings with 390 points.
- Key Challengers: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) is 24 points behind Norris with 366 points, while Max Verstappen (Red Bull) sits in third with 341 points, 49 points adrift of the leader.
What's next:
Following FP3, teams will immediately shift their focus to qualifying. Given the unique demands of the Las Vegas Street Circuit—its low grip, long straights, and tight corners—securing a strong starting position will be paramount. The evolving track conditions and the pressure of the championship fight promise an electrifying qualifying session under the lights in Las Vegas.