The 2024 F1 season is winding down, as we head to Las Vegas to kick off the final triple-header of the year. Want to know who came out on top in FP1 and FP2? Join Supercars.com.GH as we take you through everything that happened during day 1 of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix!
Free Practice 1
Lewis Hamilton kicked off the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix with a dominant performance in FP1, with the Mercedes driver quickly adapting to the challenging night-time conditions, setting a blistering pace that his rivals struggled to match. His teammate, George Russell, also impressed, securing a comfortable second position behind his experienced teammate. Lando Norris’ McLaren rounded out the top three, showcasing a strong early pace that we have come to expect from the Papaya team.
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, two key contenders in the constructor’s championship battle, had their moments of difficulty throughout the session. Verstappen experienced a steering wheel issue, while Leclerc faced challenges in finding an optimal setup. The Ferrari drivers, however, were comfortable with their cars heading into the Grand Prix, hinting at their potential for the weekend.
Williams’ Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto both had trouble with the pit entry, and the session also saw several off-track excursions from different drivers as well, highlighting the technical nature of the track and the need for precision.
- Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:35.001
- George Russel Mercedes 1:35.397
- Lando Norris McLaren 1:35.954
Free Practice 2
Lewis Hamilton replicated his FP1 performance by topping the timing sheets again in FP2 under the floodlights of Vegas. The Mercedes driver edged out McLaren’s Lando Norris and his teammate George Russell, showcasing the Silver Arrows’ strong pace for the second time back to back.
Championship leader Max Verstappen had a subdued session, struggling with grip and finishing a lowly 17th. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez also had a disappointing outing, ending up 19th.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the top six. Haas had a strong showing, with Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg finishing seventh and ninth, despite Kevin having a massive lockup and lighting up his tires.
Williams had a tough session yet again, with Alex Albon’s car suffering from a fuel system issue and Franco Colapinto struggling for pace. Valtteri Bottas, who faces a five-place grid penalty, finished 11th, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso were 13th and 14th.
- Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:33.825
- Lando Norris McLaren 1:33.836
- George Russel Mercedes 1:34.015
Will Hamilton carry his success into the FP3 and qualifying sessions tomorrow? Or, will another driver steal the spotlight? Stay tuned to Supercars.com.GH to find out!
