Formula One Grand Prix: Las Vegas Practice Session
Top Times in First Practice Session
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton clocked a time of 1:35.001, nearly four tenths of a second faster than teammate and closest rival George Russell, in the first practice session at the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix on Thursday.
Hamilton’s Strong Performance
Seven-times world champion Hamilton had a disappointing outing in Sao Paulo, finishing 10th and describing it as "a disaster of a weekend" and the worst the car had ever been. However, it seems that Mercedes has made significant improvements, with Hamilton posting the fastest time in the first practice session. He was 0.396s ahead of Russell and 0.953s faster than McLaren’s Lando Norris in cool, slippery conditions in the Nevada desert.
Red Bull’s Verstappen Struggles
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who can claim a fourth successive championship in Saturday night’s race, was fifth, 1.037s adrift of Hamilton’s time. Verstappen won last year’s race, but it appears that he is facing stiff competition from Hamilton and other drivers.
Bottas Receives Grid Penalty
Valtteri Bottas was handed a five-place grid penalty for exceeding the limit of power unit components after starting practice with a new energy store. This setback will make it more challenging for Bottas to compete at the front of the grid.
Successful Practice Session
The first practice session for the race along the transformed Las Vegas Strip was far more successful than last year’s session, which was cut short due to a loose drain cover damaging Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. This year’s session allowed drivers to get a good feel for the track and make adjustments to their cars.
Conclusion
The first practice session at the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix has set the stage for an exciting weekend of racing. With Hamilton and other top drivers posting competitive times, it is clear that the competition is fierce. Will Hamilton’s Mercedes team be able to maintain their momentum, or will Red Bull’s Verstappen and other drivers push them to the limit? The answers will be revealed on Saturday night.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix taking place?
The race is scheduled to take place on Saturday night. - Who is the current championship leader?
Max Verstappen is the current championship leader, and he can claim a fourth successive championship in this race. - What is the significance of the power unit component penalty for Valtteri Bottas?
It means that Bottas will start the race five places behind his expected grid position, making it more challenging for him to compete at the front of the grid.