1. Breaking: Verstappen suffers Las Vegas Grand Prix NIGHTMARE as Hamilton dominates and hit…read more
Lewis Hamilton delivered a stellar performance in Friday’s practice sessions for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, showcasing his dominance on the track. The seven-time world champion set the fastest lap in FP2 with a time of 1:33.825, following up his top result in FP1 earlier in the day. Hamilton’s pace highlighted Mercedes’ strength, as his teammate George Russell secured the third-fastest time in the second session.
Lando Norris of McLaren came closest to matching Hamilton’s pace, finishing just 0.011 seconds behind. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five, showing the Scuderia’s competitiveness on the cold Nevada streets. Alpine and Haas also made notable appearances in the top 10, with Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen impressing in sixth and seventh places, respectively.
In stark contrast, Red Bull had a disastrous evening. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez struggled to adapt to the chilly conditions, finishing 17th and 19th, respectively. This performance marks an unusual dip in form for the dominant team of 2024. Verstappen, the reigning world champion and current leader in the drivers’ standings, will need a significant turnaround if he hopes to clinch his next title in Vegas. Perez, who has faced a challenging season, also failed to find any meaningful pace.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is not just crucial for the drivers’ standings but also plays a pivotal role in the constructors’ championship battle. While Red Bull is fighting to retain its crown, rivals Ferrari and McLaren appear to be closing the gap, showcasing stronger performances in practice.
The final practice and qualifying sessions will determine whether Red Bull can recover in time for the main race, but their sluggish start puts the team on the back foot. Other midfield teams like Alpine, Haas, and Aston Martin will also be keen to capitalize on the unusual pecking order.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will remain on Hamilton, who looks poised for another dominant showing, and Verstappen, who must dig deep to salvage his Las Vegas campaign. The unpredictable nature of the night race and its unique challenges promise an exciting showdown under the neon lights of the Strip.
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