Leclerc Paces Dusty Las Vegas GP Practice, Albon and Tsunoda Surprise

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped the opening practice session for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, with a 1m34.802s lap. Williams' Alex Albon was a surprising second, followed by Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda and then reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

Why it matters:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is known for its unique conditions, with the street circuit only used once a year. This creates an extremely low-grip environment, especially in the initial sessions. A strong start in FP1 can be crucial for teams to understand tire degradation and car setup, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend. Ferrari's early pace suggests they might be competitive, while McLaren's struggles highlight the challenges of adapting to this specific track.

The Details:

• Leclerc's Pace: Charles Leclerc's 1m34.802s on soft tires was the fastest, setting a benchmark and dipping below last year's leading FP1 time. This suggests Ferrari has found a good initial setup for the unique Las Vegas track conditions.
• Surprise Performers: Alex Albon (Williams) finished a strong second, just 0.166s behind Leclerc, indicating Williams' potential on circuits that reward low downforce setups. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) also impressed with a third-place finish, ahead of his teammate Max Verstappen.
• Track Conditions: The 6.2km street circuit was extremely dusty and low-grip at the start of the session, leading to several drivers, including Pierre Gasly, going into the run-off areas. Drivers were running low downforce setups, which made the cars tricky to handle.
• Mid-Session Tire Changes: Most drivers began the session on medium tires, with the frontrunners switching to softer C5 compounds later on to set their fastest times.
• McLaren's Struggles: McLaren drivers Lando Norris (sixth) and Oscar Piastri (eighth) had a low-key session, with Norris experiencing two off-track excursions. This reinforces pre-event expectations that the Las Vegas circuit, which doesn't play to McLaren's strengths, might be a challenging one for them.
• Mercedes' Reserved Start: George Russell (ninth) and Andrea Kimi Antonelli (tenth), representing Mercedes, did not show their full potential, suggesting they may have been conserving their cars or running different programs. Lewis Hamilton finished just outside the top 10 in 11th.

What's next:

Teams will analyze the data from this dusty opening session to refine their setups for the upcoming practice sessions. As more rubber gets laid down on the track, grip levels will improve, likely leading to faster lap times and a clearer picture of the true pecking order. Mercedes and Red Bull will be looking to unleash more pace, while McLaren will be working to understand why they struggled to find grip and performance.