The Las Vegas Grand Prix practice sessions saw Lewis Hamilton claim the top spot, narrowly surpassing Lando Norris in a thrilling display on track. Hamilton’s time of 1m33.825s on soft tyres was just enough to edge out Norris by a slim margin of 0.011 seconds, setting the stage for a captivating race weekend.
Hamilton’s Mastery of Speed
During the second practice session, Hamilton’s performance was stellar, as he clocked the fastest lap of the day. The session briefly halted for a red flag when Williams driver Alex Albon faced fuel system issues. Despite this interruption, Hamilton maintained his focus and clinched the fastest time after resuming.
Norris Challenges the Best
Lando Norris demonstrated McLaren’s competitive edge by registering a time of 1m33.836s, closely challenging Hamilton. Norris’s efforts showcased his determination to contend with the top-tier drivers, making the fight for pole position even more engaging.
Track Evolution and Medium Runs
Initially, the drivers took time to adapt to the track conditions, but it wasn’t long before they began setting quicker laps. George Russell, also in Mercedes, was the first to surpass the FP1 timings, setting a 1m34.979s on medium tyres. Charles Leclerc soon overtook this with a 1m34.476s, demonstrating the evolving grip and speed potential of the track.
Strategic Soft Tyre Runs
As the session progressed, the switch to soft tyres saw drivers pushing the limits. Russell clocked a 1m34.015s, momentarily claiming the top spot before team-mate Hamilton and Carlos Sainz got squeezed in. Norris then led the pack by dropping the lap times below 1m34s with his impressive run.
However, Hamilton’s ability to extract just enough pace capped off the remarkable duel between him and Norris, further evidenced by Hamilton’s decisive fast lap while on soft tyres.
Williams’ Albon Faces Challenges
Alex Albon’s session was less fortunate as fuel system difficulties left him mostly stranded. Despite a few laps on track, Albon’s Williams came to a halt, triggering red flags and affecting the team’s session outcome.
Top Performers and Noteworthy Timings
The session ended with drivers focusing on higher-fuel runs on medium tyres, settling the standings. Norris maintained a strong second-place finish between the two Mercedes, followed by Russell, who secured third. The close proximity of the top drivers ensures a tantalising GP ahead.
Carlos Sainz held fourth just a fraction behind Russell, while Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, and a standout performance by Haas’s Kevin Magnussen followed suit. Oscar Piastri, Nico Hulkenberg, and Yuki Tsunoda completed the top ten, adding more layers to the excitable GP dynamics.
Challenges for Red Bull
In a surprising twist, the main Red Bull Racing team struggled to find pace, with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez ending in 17th and 19th positions, respectively. Their best efforts came on medium tyres, suggesting their setup requires adjustments to compete for better qualifying times.
With action-packed sessions featuring strategic plays and unforeseen challenges like Albon’s predicament, the Las Vegas Grand Prix promises high-octane excitement for F1 fans. Who will seize the advantage in the final practice and qualifying sessions?
