Max Verstappen led the way in the lone FP1 session in F1 US GP with Charles Leclerc close behind and Lewis Hamilton in third.
It was hot in the lone practice session in F1 US GP at Circuit of the Americas in a sprint weekend. But it was different than Qatar with less humidity as the bumps played a role in FP1 where several talked about the bouncing mainly at the straights.
There were moments for several drivers including Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon. It was the Australian with a major off at Turn 9 where he had to save the car after few wobbles.
It was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on top in FP1 of US GP with a 1m35.912s lap ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Hamilton in the Top 3. They were close along with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in fourth with the Top 4 covered by 0.300s.
It was a gap then where Haas’ Kevin Magnussen slotted in fifth being half a second down but looking good with their updates. Mercedes’ George Russell did not have a good qualifying lap as his teammate to be only sixth from Williams’ Alexander Albon.
The Thai racer clocked a good time on the soft compound to be ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounding the Top 10. It was a good lap from both the German and the Frenchman along with the American.
Williams’ Logan Sargeant was 11th from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon who improved on the soft compound. AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and the returning Daniel Ricciardo were close in 13th and 14th, with the Australian coming back to replace his sub Liam Lawson.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was 15th after electing to run the medium compound as he led the Alfa Romeo pair of Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was 18th on the hard compound from Piastri.
The Australian set his best time on the medium compound, with Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll 20th on the hard tyre after getting only five laps due to brake issues. He dived into the pits and his session was over early for the team to change parts.
Here’s PU elements list where Magnussen took his fourth MGU-K: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2023%20United%20States%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20New%20PU%20elements%20for%20this%20Competition.pdf
