Leclerc Leads Albon and Tsunoda in Las Vegas FP1
In an exciting start to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari topped the charts during Free Practice 1. He clocked in a lap of 1m 34.802s, outperforming Alex Albon from Williams and Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda.
Key Highlights from Free Practice 1
- Top Performers: Leclerc, Albon, Tsunoda
- Fastest Lap Time: Leclerc at 1m 34.802s
- Session Duration: One hour
Leclerc’s time put him 0.166 seconds ahead of Albon, while Tsunoda trailed closely at less than three-tenths. Championship contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri did not make a significant impact, failing to feature near the top.
Circuit Conditions
The session unfolded on a challenging high-speed, low-downforce circuit. Cold temperatures and a dry track required careful navigation. Right from the outset, all 20 drivers ventured onto the track, many encountering difficulties. Lewis Hamilton and Ollie Bearman had minor slides early on while Norris and Pierre Gasly faced issues, running off the track at Turns 7 and 12.
Pace Setting
Leclerc and Max Verstappen quickly emerged as the session’s leaders. After 20 minutes, Leclerc became the first to break the 1m 36s barrier with a lap of 1m 35.954s on medium tires. Verstappen closely followed, setting a benchmark just two-tenths faster.
As the session progressed, teams shifted to soft tires. Hamilton was the first among the frontrunners to use them, posting a 1m 35.561s, soon surpassed by Leclerc. Drivers continued to push their limits, with notable moments from Piastri and Fernando Alonso as they struggled for track position.
Final Moments
As the session neared its end, Verstappen took charge briefly, registering a 1m 35.109s, just narrowly ahead of Leclerc. Tsunoda even led for a brief period with 15 minutes left. However, Leclerc’s final time established him firmly atop the leaderboard.
Other notable placements included Carlos Sainz finishing fourth, while McLaren’s Norris and Piastri followed in fifth and sixth, respectively. George Russell, last year’s winner in Las Vegas, ended the session in ninth, just ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Lewis Hamilton, however, found himself in 11th place, seven-tenths behind Leclerc’s stellar time.
Upcoming Sessions
As teams prepare for Free Practice 2 later today, they will look to build on their performances and further refine setups for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
