Norris Leads USGP FP1 as Ferrari Face Early Trouble

Lando Norris topped the first practice session for the United States Grand Prix, setting a blistering pace, while Ferrari encountered significant issues, with Charles Leclerc's session cut short due to a burning oil smell and Carlos Sainz sidelined with a gearbox problem.

Why it matters:

This initial session sets the tone for a Sprint weekend, where teams have only one practice hour to dial in their cars. Ferrari's early mechanical woes are a major concern, potentially derailing their weekend before Sprint Qualifying even begins. McLaren, on the other hand, showed strong form, hinting at a competitive battle at the front.

The Details:

• Norris on Top: Lando Norris of McLaren posted a 1m33.294s, leading the session.
• Surprise Performance: Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber impressed, finishing second, just 0.255s behind Norris, and recording the fastest middle sector. His teammate Oscar Piastri rounded out the top three, 0.279s back.
• Ferrari's Woes:
  • Charles Leclerc stopped his session early after reporting a burning oil smell, leaving him at the bottom of the timesheets with limited running.
  • Carlos Sainz also had a curtailed session, spending most of the hour in the garage due to a suspected gearbox issue after only nine laps.
• Mercedes Strategy: Lewis Hamilton (8th) and George Russell (7th) opted not to run soft tyres, completing their laps on mediums, indicating a focus on race pace rather than ultimate single-lap speed.
• Red Bull's Pace: Max Verstappen finished fifth, showing strong initial pace as teams adapted to the hot Austin conditions. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda had a moment in the chicanes but recovered.
• Other Notables: Fernando Alonso continued his strong FP1 form, placing fourth. Alexander Albon put his Williams in sixth. Isack Hadjar finished ninth despite radio frustration and car issues. Lance Stroll caused a brief red flag for debris clearance.

What's next:

Ferrari faces an uphill battle to diagnose and fix their mechanical issues ahead of Sprint Qualifying, which is crucial for setting the grid for Saturday's Sprint race. McLaren's strong start suggests they could be a genuine threat this weekend. With only one practice session, teams will be relying heavily on simulation data and rapid adjustments to optimize their cars for the rest of the Grand Prix weekend at COTA.