Leclerc Tops Opening Practice at 2025 Las Vegas GP

Charles Leclerc set the pace in the first practice session for the 2025 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, hinting at Ferrari's strong potential on the streets of Nevada. Williams's Alex Albon impressed with the second-fastest time, while Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen rounded out the top four, suggesting a competitive weekend ahead under the lights.

Why it matters:

• The initial practice session often provides early insights into team performance and car setups, especially on a unique circuit like Las Vegas where track evolution is significant.
• Ferrari's strong start, with Leclerc leading, is a positive sign for the Scuderia as they aim to challenge Red Bull, who still placed two cars in the top four, including reigning champion Max Verstappen.
• Alex Albon's surprising second-place finish for Williams indicates that the Grove-based team might have found a sweet spot for their car on this high-speed, low-downforce circuit, potentially setting them up for a strong qualifying performance.

The details:

• Ferrari's Pace: Charles Leclerc led the session with a 1m34.802s, showcasing Ferrari's strength and adaptability on the Las Vegas street circuit. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished 11th, suggesting varying setup approaches within the team.
• Williams' Surprise: Alex Albon's performance in second place, just 0.166s behind Leclerc, was a significant highlight. His teammate Carlos Sainz also posted a strong time, finishing 5th, indicating a potentially very competitive weekend for Williams.
• Red Bull's Contention: Despite not topping the charts, Red Bull drivers Yuki Tsunoda (3rd) and Max Verstappen (4th) were very much in the mix, demonstrating their consistent front-running pace.
• McLaren and Mercedes: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren finished 6th and 8th respectively, while George Russell and Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes were 9th and 10th. These midfield battles are expected to be tight as teams fine-tune their cars.
• Rookies and Reserves: Several new faces and reserve drivers featured in FP1, including Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), and Franco Colapinto (Alpine), gaining valuable experience.

What's next:

• Teams will now analyze data from FP1 to make crucial setup changes for the upcoming practice sessions.
• The cool temperatures and unique track surface in Las Vegas mean track evolution will be a significant factor, with lap times expected to drop further as more rubber is laid down.
• Focus will shift to qualifying simulations in FP2 and FP3 as teams prepare for the all-important qualifying session, which will determine the starting grid for Sunday's race. The battle for pole position is expected to be fierce, especially between Ferrari, Red Bull, and a surprisingly strong Williams.