Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen led the FP1 of F1 US GP from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Alexander Albon after a trial run of the 2020 prototype tyres.
The drivers had a big challenge to tackle the bumpiness of the Circuit of Americas in FP1 of F1 US GP on a bright but cold day, where Red Bull’s Verstappen was fastest with a 1m34.057s from Ferrari’s Vettel (1m34.226s) and Albon (1m34.316s).
Verstappen ended up the quickest despite his lap times being deleted for track limits. Toro Rosso’s Pierre Gasly (1m35.008s) was best of the rest in fourth with Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo (1m35.263s) in fifth ahead of Haas’ Romain Grosjean (1m35.356s).
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (1m35.380s) was seventh from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who spent most of his time running the 2020 prototype tyres. Leclerc set his best time on those compounds as well after an off earlier in the session.
The Top 10 had Racing Point’s Lance Stroll (1m35.586s) ninth and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen (1m35.659s) 10th with the Canadian setting his best time on the medium tyres. Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat (1m35.661s) was bumped to 11th after a late lap from Hamilton.
The Russian had a late spin on the 2020 tyres. Another driver to have a spin was McLaren’s Carlos Sainz as he ended up 12th with a 1m35.723s with Alfa Romeo Racing’s Kimi Raikkonen (1m35.854s) in 13th from Racing Point’s Sergio Perez (1m35.971s).
The Mexican also set his best time on the medium tyres. Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi (1m36.037s) slotted in 15th with Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg (1m36.124s) in 16th ahead of Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas (1m36.159s), who also had more time on 2020 tyres.
McLaren’s Lando Norris (1m36.263s) was 18th where he had his headrest come lose at one point. Williams’ Robert Kubica (1m37.948s) was 19th and Nicholas Latifi (1m41.112s) 20th, with the Canadian’s day coming to an early end due to gearbox issues.