Image: from L’Équipe X @lequipe
Lando Norris topped the timesheets during the only practice session for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. On a hot Friday afternoon, the McLaren driver clocked a fastest lap of 1:33.294, finishing ahead of Nico Hülkenberg and teammate Oscar Piastri.
The session was particularly lively in its closing stages, with several drivers trading positions in quick succession. Fernando Alonso briefly held second place before being overtaken by Piastri, who was then displaced by Hülkenberg. In the end, Norris retained the top spot, followed by Hülkenberg, Piastri, Alonso, and Max Verstappen, rounding out the top five.
Challenging Conditions in Austin
Drivers faced tough conditions, with air temperatures at 29°C, track temperatures reaching 40°C, and humidity around 55%. Because the Austin weekend features a Sprint format, teams had only one hour of free practice before heading directly into Sprint Qualifying later that day.
Early in the session, most drivers opted for the hard compound tires, except the Aston Martin pair, who chose mediums. Lawson initially led the field before being surpassed by Carlos Sainz. Soon after, Norris posted a strong 1:36.126 to take the early lead, trailed by Sainz and Verstappen.
Midway through the session, a brief red flag appeared when a piece detached from Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. After a short pause, action resumed with drivers quickly returning to the track to maximize running time.
Both Sainz and Esteban Ocon encountered issues. Sainz was ordered to return to the pits slowly due to a potential problem, while Ocon ran off track and got stuck in the gravel after reporting brake failure.
The Final Push
In the final 20 minutes, Lewis Hamilton temporarily took the lead with a 1:34.857 lap, but times continued to tumble. George Russell narrowly beat Hamilton before Alonso jumped to the top with a 1:33.639 on soft tires. However, Norris responded with a blistering final lap to reclaim first place with 1:33.294.
Final Classification — United States GP, Free Practice 1
-
Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes) – 1:33.294
-
Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber/Ferrari) – 1:33.549
-
Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes) – 1:33.573
-
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Mercedes) – 1:33.639
-
Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT) – 1:33.648
-
Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes) – 1:33.920
-
George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:33.931
-
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:33.965
-
Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT) – 1:34.155
-
Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari) – 1:34.333
-
Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari) – 1:34.368
-
Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber/Ferrari) – 1:34.478
-
Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull/Honda RBPT) – 1:34.531
-
Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Mercedes) – 1:34.610
-
Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT) – 1:34.619
-
Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Renault) – 1:34.653
-
Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Renault) – 1:34.665
-
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:34.737
-
Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes) – 1:35.874
-
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:36.080
Norris’s performance gave McLaren early momentum heading into Sprint Qualifying, which takes place later on Friday at 18:30 local time.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.