Leclerc Fastest in Vegas FP1, McLaren Struggles

Charles Leclerc topped the first practice session for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, clocking a 1:34.802, while McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished P6 and P8, respectively. The session was marked by evolving track conditions due to low temperatures and a 'dirty' surface, leading to a dynamic leaderboard.

Why it matters:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is one of the final races of the 2025 F1 season, making strong performance in early sessions crucial for teams vying for championship points or looking to build momentum for the upcoming season. Ferrari's strong start suggests they've found a good initial setup, while McLaren's subdued performance in FP1, particularly Norris's floor issues, could indicate early challenges they'll need to overcome quickly.

The Details:

• Leclerc's Pace: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the fastest time with a 1:34.802, showcasing strong initial pace for the Scuderia.
• Albon's Near Miss: Williams' Alex Albon was just 0.166 seconds behind Leclerc, despite a lock-up at Turn 12 on a late flying lap, highlighting Williams' surprising competitiveness.
• Red Bull's Performance: Yuki Tsunoda outpaced teammate Max Verstappen, finishing P3 and P4 respectively, both within three-tenths of Leclerc's time.
• McLaren's Challenges: Lando Norris spent significant time in the garage due to floor work and struggled with lock-ups on his soft tire runs, finishing P6. Teammate Oscar Piastri was P8, three-tenths slower than Norris.
• Mercedes' Mid-Pack Finish: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli placed P9 and P10, indicating a less dominant start for Mercedes.
• Track Conditions: Low track temperatures and a dirty surface made the session one of continuous improvement as the track rubbered in.

Race Report:

1. Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:34.802
2. Alex Albon Williams +0.166
3. Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull +0.289
4. Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.307
5. Carlos Sainz Williams +0.377
6. Lando Norris McLaren +0.456
7. Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.648
8. George Russell Mercedes +0.732
9. Kimi Antonelli Mercedes +0.736
10. Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.759
11. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.787
12. Liam Lawson Racing Bulls +0.907
13. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.944
14. Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls +0.949
15. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.092
16. Oliver Bearman Haas +1.188
17. Esteban Ocon Haas +1.321
18. Nico Hulkenberg Sauber +1.368
19. Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber +1.596
20. Franco Colapinto Alpine +1.956

What's next:

Teams will use the data from FP1 to refine their setups for FP2, aiming to improve lap times and address any reliability or handling issues. McLaren will be particularly keen to resolve Norris's floor issues and find more pace, while Ferrari will look to consolidate their early advantage. The evolving track conditions will continue to play a critical role, potentially mixing up the grid as the weekend progresses.