Source – Formula1.com
Lewis Hamilton, a Mercedes driver, dominated the pace during Thursday night’s first free practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. He was far ahead of Lando Norris’ McLaren and teammate George Russell.
Under the glittering lights of the Las Vegas Strip, Formula 1 made its highly anticipated debut in the Nevada desert for the 2024 Grand Prix weekend. As FP1 got underway at 1830 local time, drivers were greeted by a track shrouded in mystery. The sun had set, and the floodlights illuminated a challenging circuit that tested both man and machine. The cool desert air created slippery conditions, making the opening laps a dramatic display of skill and risk-taking as teams sought to establish a baseline on a track that could shape the championship’s destiny.
From the outset, the session was an exhibition of the unpredictability that Formula 1 thrives on. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, two of the leading contenders for the 2024 title, both found themselves in trouble early. At Turn 14, they misjudged their entries, sliding off into the run-off area. While the incidents were brief and neither car sustained damage, they served as a reminder of the razor-thin margins in this high-stakes battle.
Elsewhere, the Williams team was in the spotlight for reasons beyond pace. Alex Albon and rookie Franco Colapinto were under scrutiny after crossing the white line at the pit entry—a violation of the Race Director’s instructions. For Williams, their mere participation was an achievement, having rebuilt both cars following substantial damage in Brazil. Yet, the penalties served as an unfortunate blemish on their efforts.
At the halfway mark of the session, Lewis Hamilton began to assert his authority. Fresh from a grueling weekend in Interlagos that left him questioning his motivation, the seven-time champion arrived in Las Vegas determined to flip the narrative. Driving with a point to prove, Hamilton set the fastest time on medium tyres, leading his Mercedes teammate George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris.
As the track conditions evolved and teams transitioned to the soft tyres, the timesheets shifted. Norris briefly claimed the top spot with a 1:35.954, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Verstappen, meanwhile, struggled with a steering wheel connection issue, leaving him sixth and visibly frustrated. But the focus quickly shifted back to Mercedes, whose late run on soft tyres stole the show.
George Russell, methodical as ever, posted a 1:35.397 to edge ahead of the field. However, it was Hamilton who had the final word. On his second flying lap, Hamilton lit up the timing screens with purple sectors and a personal best, ultimately delivering a 1:35.001. The time put him four-tenths clear of Russell, confirming Mercedes’ dominance in the session.
The final standings showcased a mix of the expected and the surprising. Norris held on for third, while Leclerc and Verstappen rounded out the top five. Carlos Sainz took sixth, followed by a resurgent Fernando Alonso in seventh, who impressed with his Aston Martin despite a season of fluctuating fortunes. Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly also put in strong performances, with Sergio Perez completing the top 10 in what was a subdued session for Red Bull.
Just outside the top 10, Kevin Magnussen showed flashes of brilliance in what could be one of his final Grand Prix weekends with Haas. The Danish driver outpaced Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin and Albon’s Williams. Further down the order, grid penalties began to shape the narrative, with Valtteri Bottas facing a five-place drop after taking new power unit components. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson struggled for pace, leaving Red Bull’s sister team searching for answers.
As the session concluded, the paddock buzzed with anticipation for what lies ahead. Teams now face the challenge of interpreting the data from FP1 to refine their setups for second practice and beyond. With the track set to evolve further under the desert night sky, the stage is perfectly set for more drama. This is Las Vegas—a city that thrives on the spectacular—and Formula 1 is ready to deliver a show for the ages.
