Las Vegas, FP1: Hamilton leads a Mercedes F1 one-two

Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes 1-2 in Las Vegas FP1, with McLaren and Ferrari showing strong pace in close contention.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix began at night, late Thursday in Nevada local time, with FP1. In France, the session took place during the early hours, between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m.

Several teams introduced updates this weekend. Red Bull brought a circuit-specific front wing along with new vertical floor strakes. Mercedes F1 also presented a circuit-specific front wing.

Ferrari introduced a revised front wing, a completely redesigned floor, and new vertical strakes at the front of the floor. McLaren also unveiled a circuit-specific front wing, as did Aston Martin F1, while Alpine introduced redesigned front brake ducts.

RB F1 debuted a new engine cover, a reoriented rear suspension, revised rear brake ducts, and Monza-spec mirrors. For the season’s final three races, the team adopted suspension and brake ducts from the Red Bull RB20 as part of preparations for 2025.

Stake F1 revealed a new diffuser and floor, while Haas presented a new floor. Williams could not bring any updates due to the repair work required after Brazil.

Drivers faced challenges with the track early in the session, struggling with a severe lack of grip. Liam Lawson remarked that driving on this surface felt “like driving on wet conditions.”

Lap times quickly improved as the track evolved during the session, with over a dozen drivers taking turns at the top of the timing sheets.

Lewis Hamilton ultimately spent most of the session leading with a lap of 1:36.927, ahead of George Russell. Ferrari drivers temporarily settled behind the Mercedes cars before Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and Kevin Magnussen alternated in third position.

Several drivers experienced minor off-track moments, including Max Verstappen, who flat-spotted his tires. George Russell noted the pit entry line was very hard to see.

Williams F1 drivers Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto both received black-and-white flags for crossing the pit entry line. Leclerc later managed to slot himself between the Mercedes drivers.

Nico Hülkenberg secured fourth place ahead of Magnussen, highlighting Haas’s strong start to the weekend. The American team is battling Alpine for sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

Hamilton was caught out while braking into Turn 14 at the end of the long Strip straight. Although the Briton continued without issue, he flat-spotted a tire that will require analysis.

Leclerc moved to the top of the timesheets with a 1:36.430. Carlos Sainz bettered that with a 1:36.218, benefiting from a strong tow from a Williams. Oscar Piastri claimed third, while Magnussen surpassed Hamilton to take fourth.

Leclerc improved to a 1:36.007, but Lando Norris took the lead with a 1:35.954. Esteban Ocon climbed to eighth, and Pierre Gasly secured fifth, underscoring the fierce competition between Haas and Alpine. Verstappen settled into sixth.

The Mercedes F1 drivers had yet to use soft tires when Russell immediately went fastest with a 1:35.619. Hamilton then improved to 1:35.487. Russell responded with a 1:35.397, but the seven-time world champion had the final word with a 1:35.001.

Mercedes completed a one-two finish ahead of Norris, Leclerc, and Verstappen. Sainz followed in sixth, ahead of Alonso, Piastri, Gasly, and Pérez, rounding out the top ten. The RB F1 drivers trailed, with four cars ending over three seconds off the best lap.

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Hamilton Dominates FP1 in Las Vegas, Mercedes 1-2 Hamilton Dominates FP1 in Las Vegas, Mercedes 1-2