FP1 sees Charles Leclerc lead Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda in Las Vegas practice. A dramatic start to ” as McLaren struggles.
When the bright lights of Las Vegas meet Formula 1, you expect drama — and the opening practice session delivered exactly that. Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in FP1 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, while Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda stunned the paddock by slotting into second and third. Meanwhile, McLaren’s title contenders Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri found themselves lost in the shuffle, unable to climb anywhere near the top.
Early Energy as All 20 Drivers Hit the Track
The first ten minutes of FP1 felt like the opening moments of a Las Vegas show — energetic, unpredictable, and instantly captivating. Every driver poured out onto the cold, high-speed circuit, eager to gather data in the tricky conditions. With low downforce setups and low temperatures, it was like watching twenty performers trying to waltz on ice.
Cold Temperatures, Cold Tyres, Hot Drama
Despite the dry track, the surface was still dirty and icy-cold. Drivers hesitated on corner entry, tiptoeing through each turn. Small mistakes became common: a slide here, a snap of oversteer there. Lewis Hamilton and Ollie Bearman were among the first to excite the crowd with early slides that showed just how delicate the cars were to handle.
Leclerc and Verstappen Take Early Control
Right from the start, the big names set the tone. Leclerc became the first man to dip under 1m 36s with a tidy 1m 35.954s. Max Verstappen immediately responded like a rival at a poker table refusing to fold, shaving off two-tenths from Leclerc’s time.
Sliding, Lock-Ups, and Off-Track Adventures
Not everyone had it so smooth. Norris darted into the run-off at Turn 7, while Pierre Gasly slid wide at Turn 12. These weren’t catastrophic mistakes, but they showed how unforgiving the new Las Vegas layout can be.
Hamilton Starts the Soft-Tyre Phase
The session shifted gears when Hamilton became the first top driver to bolt on the soft tyres. He clocked a 1m 35.561s — but his time was short-lived. Leclerc, running on the same compound, immediately beat it, tightening his grip on the top spot.
Tsunoda Joins the Fight at the Front
Then came the surprise of the afternoon. Yuki Tsunoda threw himself into the mix, jumping to the top with 15 minutes to go. It was a statement lap from the Racing Bulls driver, proving that the soft tyres and track evolution were finally coming alive.
Norris and Piastri’s Tough Start
McLaren’s championship hopefuls couldn’t catch a break. Norris brushed the wall exiting Turn 9, then ran deep at Turn 12 — twice. Piastri also struggled to keep the car planted. It was clear the McLaren wasn’t happy on this circuit, at least during FP1.
Leclerc Breaks the 1m 35s Barrier
With ten minutes left, Leclerc delivered the knockout lap: 1m 34.802s. It was clean, confident, and impossible for anyone else to match. This time stood until the end of the session, leaving Ferrari smiling early in the weekend.
Albon Impresses in the Williams
Alex Albon continued his streak of brilliant Las Vegas performances. He ended the session second, just 0.166s behind Leclerc. His final moments weren’t perfect, as he locked up heavily into Turn 12, but his overall pace impressed both fans and rivals.
Verstappen Settles Behind Tsunoda
Max Verstappen pushed hard but couldn’t reclaim the top spot. He ended up behind Tsunoda by less than a tenth, finishing the session fourth. Not ideal for the reigning world champion, but certainly nothing to worry about this early.
Midfield Shake-Up: Sainz, Hadjar, and More
Carlos Sainz squeezed into fifth for Ferrari, showing solid support for Leclerc. Between Norris and Piastri, Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar managed to slip in, splitting the McLaren duo and showcasing his improving form in F1 machinery.
Mercedes’ Mixed Session
George Russell placed ninth, a decent but unspectacular start considering he won here last year. Kimi Antonelli, partnered with Russell for this weekend, rounded out the top ten. Hamilton, however, wound up in 11th, seven-tenths adrift of Leclerc — a gap Mercedes will want to close quickly.
Aston Martin, Haas, and Sauber Battle for Grip
Further down the order, Alonso, Stroll, Bearman, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, and Colapinto rounded out the lower half of the timesheets. No crashes, no red flags — just drivers wrestling cars around a circuit still waking up.
A Clean, Uninterrupted Session
In contrast to last year’s chaos-filled first practice, this FP1 ended without a single interruption. No drain covers, no stoppages — just straightforward running from every team.
Looking Ahead to a Crucial FP2
With FP2 providing more representative nighttime conditions, teams will treat the next session as the real litmus test. FP1 gave us a glimpse of pace — but FP2 will show who’s truly ready for qualifying.
Conclusion
The opening practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix offered a vibrant mix of surprises, struggles, and standout performances. Leclerc’s brilliance, Albon’s consistency, and Tsunoda’s punchy pace set the tone at the front, while McLaren’s title hopefuls found themselves unexpectedly off the rhythm.
With FP2 set to reveal more, the Las Vegas weekend is already shaping up to be a thrilling one. And in a city built on unpredictability, anything can happen next.
FAQs
1. Why was Leclerc so fast in FP1?
Leclerc adapted quickly to the cold and low-grip conditions, delivering consistent, clean laps that helped him stay on top.
2. Why did McLaren struggle in this session?
Norris and Piastri battled grip issues, balance problems, and several off-track moments that prevented them from building momentum.
3. How did Alex Albon manage to finish second?
Albon found confidence early in the session, delivering a strong lap on soft tyres and maintaining competitive pace throughout.
4. Was this session representative for the weekend?
Not entirely. FP2, running in cooler night conditions, will offer a more accurate picture of true performance.
5. Did any drivers face major issues or crashes?
No. Despite several slides and lock-ups, FP1 stayed green throughout with no major incidents.
