P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz set the quickest time during the sole practice session for Formula 1’s United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas. Austin is hosting the fourth of six Sprint events this season, with Friday lunchtime’s session the sole hour of practice ahead of sprint qualifying. Several teams, including title contenders […]
At the fourth of six Sprint events this season in Austin, Friday lunchtime’s session was the sole hour of practice ahead of sprint qualifying. Several teams, including Red Bull and McLaren, introduced upgrade packages to test new parts during the hour of running. Ferrari did not introduce upgrades, allowing Carlos Sainz to set the fastest time of 1:33.602s, just 0.021s ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc. Max Verstappen, the World Champion and current standings leader, finished third, 0.253s behind Sainz. Lando Norris, Verstappen’s title rival, was fourth despite running wide at Turn 12. Oscar Piastri finished fifth but had a moment when sliding wide into pit lane, forcing an extra lap. Mercedes encountered difficulties as both Hamilton and Russell struggled, with Hamilton sixth and Russell seventh. Kevin Magnussen placed eighth while Nico Hulkenberg was 11th in an updated car. Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda completed the top 10 for Aston Martin and RB respectively. Liam Lawson took 13th place at RB, serving a grid penalty for Sunday’s race. Sergio Perez of Red Bull ended the session in 16th position.
