Leclerc leads first practice

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the first free practice session of the United States Grand Prix, outpacing Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. The session took place at the Circuit of the Americas, a track known for its challenging layout and elevation changes.

Track limits cause disruptions

The session was marked by numerous track limit infringements, with several drivers exceeding the white lines that define the racing surface. As a result, some lap times were invalidated, a common issue on this particular circuit.

Mercedes and Hamilton's position

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, with Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth in his Ferrari. Antonelli, a young Italian driver, has a mathematical chance to win the world title by Sunday, adding significance to his performance.

Audi and Racing Bulls shine

Gabriel Bortoleto placed his Audi in eighth position, while the Racing Bulls of Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson followed closely. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar struggled in his Red Bull, finishing fourteenth, and the Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto placed fifteenth and seventeenth.

Reserve driver tests

Colton Herta, the only reserve driver in the session, drove for Cadillac and finished twenty-first, slightly behind his teammate Valtteri Bottas. Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon closed the session, with Albon focusing mostly on technical tests rather than competitive laps. The results do not yet reflect the full competitiveness of the teams, as several have brought significant aerodynamic upgrades to the race.