During the sole practice session for the F1 2025 United States Grand Prix in Austin, McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance. The British driver topped the timesheets ahead of Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg and teammate Oscar Piastri, while Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari suffered mechanical trouble that left him at the bottom of the order.
Busy Start in Austin
With only one session before Sprint qualifying, teams wasted no time getting laps in. Lewis Hamilton set the early pace with a 1:34.857, placing his Ferrari half a second clear of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. The session was briefly halted after debris from Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin brought out the red flag.
Tyre Choices Shape the Session
After the restart, teams ran primarily on the Hard C1 tyres before switching compounds in the final stages. Hamilton, Leclerc, and Russell opted for Mediums, while Verstappen, Tsunoda, and the McLaren duo chose Softs. The grip advantage on the softer tyres quickly shuffled the order.
Norris Takes Control
Fernando Alonso momentarily claimed the top spot for Aston Martin with a 1:33.639, just 0.009s faster than Verstappen. Norris soon responded with a stellar 1:33.294, putting him three tenths clear of the field. Piastri improved late on to move into second before being edged out by Hülkenberg’s last-minute lap.
Ferrari’s Mixed Fortunes
While Hamilton showed strong pace, Leclerc’s session ended prematurely. The Monegasque driver reported issues with seventh gear and a burning oil smell in his F-25, forcing Ferrari to call him back to the garage. It was a frustrating setback heading into qualifying.
Top Ten Results
The session ended with McLaren leading the charge. Hülkenberg’s Sauber impressed in second, while Alonso, Verstappen, and Albon rounded out the top six. George Russell and Hamilton followed close behind, showing competitive long-run pace for both Mercedes-powered teams.
| Position | Driver / Team | Lap Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes) | 1:33.294 |
| 2 | Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber/Ferrari) | 1:33.549 |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes) | 1:33.573 |
| 4 | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Mercedes) | 1:33.639 |
| 5 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT) | 1:33.648 |
Performance Insights
Norris’s lap of 1:33.294 was set on Soft tyres, reflecting McLaren’s confidence with lighter fuel loads. His average speed of over 212 km/h showcased the team’s balance and straight-line efficiency. Ferrari’s pace looked promising in Hamilton’s hands, but reliability remains a concern before qualifying.
Summary
The first and only practice session in Austin highlighted McLaren’s sharp form and Ferrari’s technical struggles. With Norris leading the pack and Leclerc on the back foot, the stage is set for an unpredictable Sprint qualifying under the Texas sun.
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Source: FIA