Norris Tops Las Vegas GP Free Practice 2

Lando Norris surprised the grid by topping the second free practice session for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, narrowly beating Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. The session offered an early glimpse into the pecking order on the unique street circuit, with several unexpected performances.

Why it matters:

Free Practice 2 is often the most representative session for qualifying and race pace, given that it takes place at a similar time of day (and temperature) to both. Norris's strong showing hints at McLaren's potential competitiveness in Las Vegas, a track where setup and driver confidence are paramount. Antonelli's impressive second place also underscores the young driver's rapid adaptation to F1 machinery and the Mercedes package, making him a dark horse for the weekend.

The details:

• Norris Leads the Pack: Lando Norris set the fastest time of 1:33.602s, completing 13 laps for McLaren. This performance puts him squarely in contention for pole position, especially given the tight margins at the top.
• Antonelli Shines: Kimi Antonelli, in only his second Grand Prix weekend, demonstrated remarkable pace, finishing just +0.029s behind Norris. This strong showing is a significant statement from the Mercedes junior, affirming his potential at the highest level.
• Ferrari's Pace: Charles Leclerc secured third, +0.161s off Norris, indicating Ferrari's strong underlying pace. Lewis Hamilton, in his new Ferrari colors, finished 10th, +0.525s behind, still getting accustomed to his new environment.
• Unexpected Frontrunners: Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) and the Racing Bulls duo of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson all delivered strong performances, finishing 4th, 5th, and 6th, respectively. This suggests the midfield could be exceptionally tight and unpredictable.
• Red Bull's Position: Max Verstappen, typically dominant, was 9th, +0.503s behind Norris. While not his usual top spot, Red Bull often holds back pace in practice, suggesting more to come.

The big picture:

The unique characteristics of the Las Vegas street circuit – long straights, tight corners, and low-grip surfaces – always tend to shuffle the competitive order. The cool night temperatures also play a significant role in tire performance and car balance. This session confirms that the established pecking order from earlier in the 2025 season might not hold true here, creating an exciting and unpredictable weekend for teams and fans alike. The battle for pole and race victory looks wide open.

What's next:

Teams will now dive deep into the data from FP2 to fine-tune their setups for qualifying and the race. The primary focus will be on optimizing tire performance and maximizing grip on the challenging street circuit. Expect the gaps to tighten further in Free Practice 3 as drivers push the limits and teams dial in their cars, setting the stage for a thrilling qualifying session.