US Grand Prix Free Practice 1: Leclerc ahead of Verstappen, Hamilton in P6, first penalty!

The first 60 minutes of free practice at the magnificent Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on the outskirts of Austin, Texas: the grandstands were already very well filled. As early as 7.30 am, spectators were stuck in traffic on their way to the circuit, even though the first free practice session wasn’t due to start for another five hours.

A year ago, the race here was run in sprint format; this year it’s back to the classic schedule, with two free practice sessions on Friday, a third on Saturday, qualifying on Saturday and then the Grand Prix on Sunday.

Formula 1 is booming in America, and this is clearly evident at COTA. The drivers took to the undulating track in air temperatures of 28 degrees, with the track surface heated to 41 degrees.

And here’s what the teams brought to Texas in the way of new parts: McLaren with aerodynamic tweaks around the front and rear wheels to reduce drag. They also introduced a new diffuser designed to guarantee more consistent downforce at all speeds. Red Bull Racing with a modified front wing.

Ferrari brought a substantial update: a new underbody, modified sidepods with a smaller air intake, and a design that is narrower both towards the ground and towards the rear. This is complemented by a new diffuser (the upward-curving end of the underbody).

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The Racing Bulls’ Evo package is equally comprehensive: underbody, sidepods, front wing and rear wing – all improved.

In Texas, Audi is showcasing optimised front brake ventilation, an underbody modified at the front edge, and a new rear-view mirror mounting. Alpine features a new rear wing and aerodynamic optimisations to the rear suspension. Cadillac has a different underbody and improved exhaust vents on the engine cover.

No new parts in the US: Mercedes, Williams, Aston Martin and Haas.

At the start of the first practice session, many cars were fitted with large grilles for aerodynamic measurements. Max Verstappen complained about the steering, saying it “feels strange in left-hand corners, as if something is blocked”.

Standings after 15 minutes: Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Hadjar and Verstappen, with Audi driver Hülkenberg in 10th place.

In the meantime, news from the FIA: the Englishman Arvid Lindblad had to have new engine parts fitted, so he will be penalised – by at least five places, possibly to the back of the grid if more new parts are fitted than the combustion engine.

Ferrari continued to set the pace; standings after 30 minutes: Leclerc, Hamilton, Norris, Antonelli, Russell, Piastri, Verstappen only ninth at this stage, Hülkenberg in P13.

Leclerc, the 2024 Austin winner, shaved a full half-second off his fastest time on soft Pirelli tyres, whilst his Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton messed up the tricky Turn 1.

Max Verstappen’s response was immediate: just 84 thousandths behind Leclerc, he moved up to P2. Championship leader Antonelli couldn’t keep up – third fastest, but almost half a second behind Leclerc.

Verstappen has Tom Hart as his race engineer this weekend, rather than Gianpiero Lambiase.

George Russell spun his left front tyre whilst braking for the first corner, ending his lap in the barriers.

Max Verstappen made a fresh attempt to storm the Leclerc stronghold – and it worked! 1:35.860 mins, 192 thousandths faster than the Ferrari driver. But then the Dutchman’s lap was disallowed: he went too far off the track at Turn 12.