Red Bull Racing chief engineer Paul Monaghan confirmed that Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda ran with different car setups at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This deliberate strategy, aimed at optimizing performance for each driver, reflects a meticulous approach that could continue through the season's end, with teams constantly fine-tuning for marginal gains and future development insights.
Pierre Gasly is feeling optimistic after a solid Thursday practice in Las Vegas, where he finished both sessions in P12. With a history of strong qualifying performances on the street circuit (P3 in 2023, P4 in 2022), the Alpine driver is aiming to continue his impressive record. He believes the challenging track conditions and potential for rain could play into his favor, providing opportunities for a breakthrough result.
FIA's Nikolas Tombazis addressed concerns about Max Verstappen's engine swap in Brazil, stating the FIA doesn't have the expertise to dispute reliability claims versus strategic performance gains. He acknowledged this as a weakness in current F1 regulations but confirmed that a new power unit cost cap for manufacturers next season will naturally resolve the issue by making strategic swaps financially unviable, removing a significant gray area in the sport's rules.
Ferrari president John Elkann has publicly criticized certain aspects of the team, stating they are "not up to par." In response, former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, now at Williams, cleverly dodged the controversy by referencing the 'Kermit the Frog sipping tea' meme, implying the matter is "none of his business." This comes as Ferrari struggles to secure a single Grand Prix win in a season where they were expected to contend for championships, leading to increased internal pressure.
Toto Wolff suggests Lewis Hamilton's challenges at Ferrari are due to the cultural shock of moving from British-led teams to an intensely passionate Italian environment. He believes Hamilton feels "like a fish out of water" but can still perform if he gets a car he likes. This perspective highlights the significant adaptation required for Hamilton to succeed at the Scuderia, amidst internal pressures and contrasting team cultures.
Lewis Hamilton is cautiously optimistic after the opening practice day in Las Vegas, despite finishing tenth in FP2. He felt good in the car but couldn't complete a clean lap due to interruptions. Hamilton noted the slippery track conditions but expressed satisfaction with his car's setup, suggesting minimal changes ahead of qualifying. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc topped FP1 but faced technical issues and a steward inquiry.
Toto Wolff has sold a $300 million stake in his Mercedes F1 holding company to CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the team's technological expertise and market presence rather than indicating Wolff's exit. Kurtz will act as a technology advisor, contributing to the team's long-term growth and innovation strategy without altering its core governance.
Max Verstappen finds Oscar Piastri's recent slump in form "very bizarre," questioning the young Australian's performance downturn since his Zandvoort win. Piastri has consistently finished off the podium, losing his championship lead and falling behind his teammate, prompting Verstappen to hint at McLaren's operational style and suggest Piastri be more assertive amidst his struggles.
Lando Norris topped a red-flagged FP2 session at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, clocking the fastest time on Soft tires before disruptions prevented many rivals from completing their qualifying simulations. Loose drain covers and Charles Leclerc's mechanical issue caused two red flags, leaving teams with limited data for the evolving street circuit.
The second practice session at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix was prematurely ended after a potential loose manhole cover near Turn 17 prompted a red flag. While initial inspections quickly deemed the track safe, a subsequent red flag for "track maintenance" ultimately brought the session to a close, raising renewed concerns about circuit infrastructure at the high-profile street race.
The second practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was severely disrupted and eventually abandoned due to a loose manhole cover, causing two red flags. Lando Norris topped the limited running, but many drivers couldn't complete soft-tire runs, leaving the competitive landscape unclear. This incident raises significant safety concerns for the new street circuit, impacting team preparations and potentially influencing future track safety protocols.
George Russell admits Mercedes is in a "close" fight for a strong result at the Las Vegas GP, despite improving their car from last year. He emphasizes the tight competition among top drivers like Norris, Verstappen, and Leclerc, indicating that while Mercedes is in the mix, they're not a guaranteed frontrunner. Russell's practice times showed improvement before a red flag cut his FP2 short, setting the stage for a highly contested weekend.
