F1 | United States GP: Verstappen sets the pace in the first free practices

The first free practice session of the American Grand Prix recently ended. The fastest of all was Max Verstappen, who set the best time in 1:34.057. The Dutchman precedes Sebastian Vettel and the other Red Bull of Alex Albon.

Followed by: Gasly, Ricciardo, Grosjean, Leclerc, Hamilton, Stroll and Magnussen.

Leclerc was forced to pit for a good part of the session due to a possible engine problem. The drivers complained about the track conditions which have many bumps.
Strangely, the Mercedes are behind but evidently the Silver Arrows are working for the weekend.

In this round many riders had the opportunity to test the 2020 Pirelli prototypes. Let's review what happened on the track in our recap!

News – The session starts with rather cold temperatures, with eight degrees in the air and 14 on the asphalt. But another problem is represented by the track which has many bumps. Hamilton, Vettel and Bottas were immediately in action and he will be the first to set the best time in 1:38.846.

Verstappen replies with 1:38.423 but Magnussen's Haas will then do better than him with 1:38.350. Leclerc complains of apparent engine problems and the team calls him back to the pits. Grosjean then sets the pace with 1:37.759. Subsequently, Albon placed himself in front of everyone with 1:37.203.

The Thai driver will be docked a lap for exceeding the track limits at turn 19. Same fate also for Verstappen who took the lead with 1:35.175.
The Dutchman then lowered his time to 1:35.546, Vettel moving up to second position.
Albon takes the lead with the 2020 prototype tire in 1:35.451. Sainz loses the rear at high speed, fortunately no impact with the barriers. Albon improves again with 1:35.282.

Leclerc returns to the track and improves to fifth position.
Vettel sets the pace with about 40 minutes to go, 1:34.226 on red tyre. Good leap forward by Ricciardo, second but Verstappen still ahead of everyone with 1:34.057.
The Mercedes are in apparent difficulty with Bottas 15th and Hamilton 17th but it is likely that the drivers are doing tests for qualifying and the race, as well as being slowed down by the bumps.
In the final minutes Hamilton manages to climb to eighth position and we reach the checkered flag!

US GP: the results of the first free practice session

Pos. N. Driver Team Time
1 33 M. Verstappen Red Bull 1’34″057
2 5 S. Vettel (?) Ferrari 1’34″226
3 23 A. Albon Red Bull 1’34″316
4 10 P. Gasly Toro Rosso 1’35″008
5 3 D. Ricciardo Renault 1’35″263
6 8 R. Grosjean Haas 1’35″356
7 16 C. Leclerc Ferrari 1’35″380
8 44 L. Hamilton Mercedes 1’35″439
9 18 L. Stroll Racing Point 1’35″586
10 20 K. Magnussen Haas 1’35″659
11 26 D. Kvyat (?) Toro Rosso 1'35″661
12 55 C. Sainz McLaren 1’35″723
13 7 K. Raikkonen Alfa Romeo 1’35″854
14 11 S. Perez Racing Point 1’35″971
15 99 A. Giovinazzi Alfa Romeo 1’36″037
16 27 N. Hulkenberg Renault 1’36″124
17 77 V. Bottas Mercedes 1’36″159
18 4 L. Norris McLaren 1’36″263
19 88 R. Kubica (?) Williams 1’37″948
20 40 N. Latifi Williams 1’41″112