Leclerc Sets Pace in Lively Las Vegas GP Practice
Charles Leclerc led the opening practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a 1m34.802s, showcasing Ferrari's strong start. Williams' Alex Albon surprisingly finished second, with Yuki Tsunoda also impressing. While Red Bull and Mercedes appeared to hold back, McLaren faced early struggles. The session sets up a dynamic weekend on the challenging Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped the first practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, clocking a 1m34.802s on soft tires. This early benchmark puts Ferrari in a strong position, while Williams and AlphaTauri showed surprising pace, hinting at a competitive weekend on the unique Strip Circuit.
Why it matters:
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is known for its unpredictable nature, and the first practice session sets the tone for the entire weekend. Leclerc's strong performance, coupled with unexpected pace from teams like Williams and AlphaTauri, suggests that traditional pecking orders might be challenged on this low-grip, high-speed street circuit. Early indications of pace and reliability are crucial as teams fine-tune their setups for the unique demands of racing under the lights in the desert.
The details:
- Leclerc's Benchmark: Charles Leclerc's 1m34.802s on soft tires was the fastest lap, surpassing last year's FP1 best. This highlights Ferrari's strong start and potential for the weekend.
- Williams' Surprise Pace: Alex Albon of Williams impressed, finishing just 0.166s behind Leclerc. This marks one of Williams' strongest FP1 showings this season, suggesting their car might be well-suited to the circuit's characteristics.
- AlphaTauri's Strong Showing: Yuki Tsunoda outperformed his Red Bull counterpart Max Verstappen, securing third place. This unexpected result indicates that AlphaTauri could be a dark horse in Las Vegas.
- Red Bull's Conservative Start: Max Verstappen, despite leading early on medium tires, dropped to fourth as others switched to softer compounds. This could be a strategic move from Red Bull, not wanting to show their full hand too early.
- McLaren's Struggles: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from McLaren had a less convincing session, with Norris experiencing off-track moments. Their muted pace aligns with expectations that the circuit might expose the car's weaknesses.
- Mercedes' Reserved Approach: George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured ninth and tenth, with Lewis Hamilton falling outside the top 10. Mercedes appears to be holding back, likely saving their full potential for later sessions on a circuit that should, in theory, complement their package.
What's next:
As the Las Vegas night deepens, the circuit will continue to evolve, offering more grip as rubber is laid down. Teams will analyze the data from this first session to make crucial setup changes ahead of the next practice and qualifying. The unpredictable nature of the track, combined with varying team performances, promises an exciting weekend of racing. Expect Red Bull and Mercedes to show more pace in subsequent sessions, but Ferrari, Williams, and AlphaTauri have certainly made their intentions clear early on.