Leclerc Leads Mixed-Up Vegas GP FP1 as Ferrari, Williams Show Pace

Charles Leclerc topped the opening practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Alex Albon's Williams surprisingly slotting into second. The session, held at dusk under cold conditions and a dusty track, saw a mixed-up leaderboard with Ferrari, Williams, and Red Bull appearing most comfortable.

Why it matters:

F1's return to Las Vegas under a slightly adjusted timetable meant cars hit the track earlier than last year, leading to unique conditions. The cold track temperatures and dust significantly impacted grip and lap times, making this initial session potentially unrepresentative of the weekend's true pecking order. However, strong showings from unexpected teams like Williams could hint at their potential on this low-grip street circuit.

The details:

• Leclerc Dominates: Charles Leclerc consistently improved his times to secure the top spot for Ferrari, signaling strong early pace from the Scuderia.
• Albon's Surprise Second: Alex Albon put his Williams in an impressive second place, showcasing potential for the team on this specific track layout and conditions.
• Verstappen in Third: Max Verstappen initially set the pace on both medium and soft tires but was ultimately pushed down to third by Leclerc and Albon.
• Tsunoda's Strong Showing: Yuki Tsunoda, in the second Red Bull, also made a strong impression, placing fourth. This is crucial for a driver needing to prove himself.
• Sainz and Williams Pace: Carlos Sainz further highlighted Williams' surprising pace by securing fifth, placing two of their cars in the top five.
• McLaren's Struggles: Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had a "messy" session with minor errors, finishing sixth and eighth, respectively, sandwiching Isack Hadjar's Racing Bulls.
• Mercedes Underperforms: Last year's dominant team in Vegas, Mercedes, finished ninth and tenth with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, suggesting they have work to do.

The big picture:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is known for its unique challenges, including extremely cold track temperatures and a street circuit that offers low grip. These factors often lead to unexpected results in early sessions. While Ferrari and Red Bull typically contend at the front, Williams' strong performance is a testament to how specific track conditions can shake up the grid. Mercedes' slower start suggests they might be struggling to adapt to these conditions, unlike their dominant performance last year.

What's next:

Teams will analyze data from this session to better understand tire performance, grip levels, and car balance as they prepare for FP2, which will take place later in full darkness, offering more representative conditions for qualifying and the race. The primary focus will be on improving car setup to mitigate the effects of cold temperatures and dust, particularly for teams like Mercedes and McLaren, who underperformed in FP1.