Norris leads in the only practice session.
Sunny. Dry. Air +29…31°C, track +39…43°C
For the third year the Austin weekend is held in a Saturday-sprint format. Teams are accustomed to working at this stage with a single practice, although it’s not easy — you can’t sort out setup and tyres in one hour.
The programme was busy. Drivers went out from the first minutes; in most teams the programme was split between the drivers to try to get at least something done. It was important to avoid incidents so as not to lose that time.
It was already hot in the first practice, but after Singapore the teams were ready for such conditions, while the bumpy asphalt again caused problems. Traffic was also an issue, but soon the drivers spread out around the track.
Starting the session on Hard tyres, the drivers gradually switched to Medium and Soft, finishing the practice with a short series of laps before the sprint qualifying — it will take place in a few hours.
On the 23rd minute red flags appeared — Lance Stroll ran too widely onto the kerb at Turn 19 and some part broke off. The drivers returned to the pits, the marshals quickly cleared the debris and work resumed.
On the 34th minute Esteban Ocon went into the gravel due to brake problems, made it back to the pits under his own power and handed the car to the mechanics. Sainz and Leclerc ended the practice early due to gearbox problems.
The best time was set by Lando Norris, who lapped in 1:33.294.
Practice results
Driver
Team
Time
Gap
Laps
1. L. Norris
McLaren
1:33.294
-
23
2. N. Hulkenberg
Sauber
1:33.549
+0.255
23
3. O. Piastri
McLaren
1:33.573
+0.279
25
4. F. Alonso
Aston Martin
1:33.639
+0.345
22
5. M. Verstappen
Red Bull
1:33.648
+0.354
26
6. A. Albon
Williams
1:33.920
+0.626
26
7. D. Russell
Mercedes
1:33.931
+0.637
26
8. L. Hamilton
Ferrari
1:33.965
+0.671
25
9. A. Hadjar
Racing Bulls
1:34.155
+0.861
24
10. O. Berman
Haas
1:34.333
+1.039
26
11. E. Ocon
Haas
1:34.368
+1.074
25
12. G. Bortoleto
Sauber
1:34.478
+1.184
23
13. Y. Tsunoda
Red Bull
1:34.531
+1.237
23
14. L. Stroll
Aston Martin
1:34.610
+1.316
23
15. L. Lawson
Racing Bulls
1:34.619
+1.325
24
16. F. Colapinto
Alpine
1:34.653
+1.359
24
17. P. Gasly
Alpine
1:34.665
+1.371
24
18. K. Antonelli
Mercedes
1:34.737
+1.443
26
19. C. Sainz
Williams
1:35.874
+2.580
9
20. Sh. Leclerc
Ferrari
1:36.080
+2.786
18
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Norris leads in the only practice session.
Lando Norris set the fastest time, completing a lap in 1:33.294.