Charles Leclerc set the pace in first practice at the United States Grand Prix, going 0.084 seconds quicker than Max Verstappen as the Austin weekend kicked off — the first weekend on which Kimi Antonelli can clinch his maiden world championship.
(Credits: BBC Sport)
US Grand Prix FP1: Leclerc Fastest, Verstappen Close Behind
Ferrari’s Leclerc topped the timesheets with Verstappen’s Red Bull right behind him, setting up a potentially fascinating weekend at the Circuit of the Americas. McLaren’s Lando Norris was third ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, while Antonelli could only manage fifth fastest, 0.481 seconds off the pace. Lewis Hamilton was sixth in the second Ferrari, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Antonelli’s Title Math
The 20-year-old Italian will win the championship in Austin only if he wins the race and Russell finishes below eighth and Hamilton below fourth — a tall order, and his fifth-fastest practice time suggests the title coronation may have to wait. Still, the mere fact that Mercedes’ young star can seal the crown this weekend shows how remarkable his debut season has been.
Upgrades in Play
Mercedes have reverted both cars to the upgraded specification introduced in Malaysia two races ago, despite lingering questions over its relative performance. The team believes the upgrade has more performance within it but that they have not yet found the right set-up to maximize it — they hope a full, normal weekend with three practice sessions will let them hone it.
Ferrari, meanwhile, brought what is fundamentally a new floor to Austin. But both Leclerc and Hamilton played down its impact. Hamilton was blunt: “We have a very, very small upgrade this weekend. It’s less than a tenth. It’s like half a tenth. So, I don’t think that propels us forward enough to necessarily challenge that deficit. But maybe the track suits our car, and maybe they’ll have a one-off weekend.”
Leclerc won the US Grand Prix in Austin two years ago, so he knows his way around this circuit. Whether Friday pace translates to Sunday glory — and whether Antonelli’s title wait continues — will be decided over the next two days.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
