Vegas. The veteran British driver Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the best times of the first two free practices of the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix, in the United States, in which Max Verstappen (Red Bull) offered very discreet performances.
The Dutchman concluded the first round in fifth place, two behind his great rival, the British Lando Norris (McLaren), the only driver who can prevent Verstappen from being crowned four-time Formula 1 champion on Saturday.
Mad Max He finished in seventeenth place in the second practice session, which was held in the coldest conditions of the season (around 10º Celsius) and concluded around midnight on the street circuit of the gaming capital.
“Very slippery,” said Verstappen about this circuit installed in the heart of the Strip, the famous casino avenue, which saw a large number of track exits without significant incidents.
The Dutchman, winner in 2023 in the competition’s return to Las Vegas after four decades of absence, did not set time on the soft tires, the ones with the best performance.
“These are unique conditions with the cold, but it is the same for everyone,” he added. “We have to understand what needs to be done. It’s very much related to the tyres… it’s like driving on ice.”
Norris, for his part, achieved the second best lap, 0.011s behind Hamilton and continues to warm up his engines in his attempt to thwart Verstappen’s fourth consecutive title.
After his victory in the last Brazilian Grand Prix, his first since June, it is enough for Verstappen to finish ahead of Norris or not give up more than two points in his particular duel.
If he does not achieve this, he still has two more Grand Prix ahead of him, those of Qatar and Abu Dhabi in December.
Czechlagging behind
It seems more difficult for his team, Red Bull, to overtake McLaren and Ferrari in the fight for the constructors’ title. The Mexican Sergio Czech Pérez, the other Red Bull driver, was tenth and nineteenth in the two tests on Thursday.
On his side, the young Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (Williams) finished in seventeenth and eighteenth place.
Colapinto, who is still fighting to win a wheel for next season, was another of the drivers who criticized the conditions of this circuit that illuminate the neons of the casinos and the lights of the futuristic venue The Sphere.
It has “very little grip (grip), a lot of dirt. There were less grip than in Brazil when the track was flooded,” said the Argentine in reference to the rain in Sao Paulo.
“The show is very good in Las Vegas, all the people, the lights, but it is not a very fun track,” described Colapinto, who did not compete in the 2023 edition. “You have to try to control the tires well. We come from races in which it was hot and here it is very cold.
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#Hamilton #dominates #Las #Vegas #practices #Czech #lagging
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What issues are drivers, such as Colapinto, facing with the grip levels and unique challenges of the Las Vegas circuit? [[1](https://www.f1lasvegasgp.com/track-layout/)]
## World Today News: Las Vegas Formula 1 Show
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, everyone. Tonight we have an exciting discussion on the opening rounds of the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix. Joining me are two Formula 1 experts, [Guest 1 Name], a seasoned motorsport analyst, and [Guest 2 Name], a former driver who brings invaluable firsthand experience to the table.
**Section 1: Hamilton Takes the Lead**
**Interviewer:** Lewis Hamilton stormed ahead in the first two practices, leaving many, including Verstappen, trailing behind. [Guest 1 Name], what does this strong start say about Hamilton’s performance and his chances for the race?
**[Guest 1 Response]**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], having been in Hamilton’s shoes, how crucial are these early practice sessions in setting the tone for the race weekend?
**[Guest 2 Response]**
**Section 2: Verstappen’s Struggles**
**Interviewer:** On the other hand, we see Max Verstappen, the championship leader, struggling in the cold Las Vegas conditions. [Guest 1 Name], is this a concern for Red Bull, and could this be an opportunity for Norris and McLaren to capitalize?
**[Guest 1 Response]**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], from your experience, how do drivers adapt to unexpected track conditions? How much will the teams need to adjust their strategies based on these cool temperatures?
**[Guest 2 Response]**
**Section 3: Red Bull vs. the Field: A Constructors’ Championship Battle**
**Interviewer:** Red Bull is facing an uphill battle in the constructors’ championship with McLaren and Ferrari gaining ground. With Perez lagging behind, can Red Bull turn things around in Las Vegas?
**[Guest 1 Response]**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], what tires will work best in these conditions, and how will different teams approach tyre management?
**[Guest 2 Response]**
**Section 4: The Las Vegas Circuit: Spectacle vs. Racing**
**Interviewer:** Many drivers, including Colapinto, have raised concerns about the grip levels and unique challenges outlined by the Las Vegas circuit. [Guest 1 Name], how much will the track surface play a role in the outcome of the race?
**[Guest 1 Response]**
**Interviewer:** [Guest 2 Name], you’ve driven on many diverse circuits globally. How does the Las Vegas track compare, and do you believe the challenges presented ultimately enhance the excitement of the race?
**[Guest 2 Response]**
**Conclusion:**
Thank you both for sharing your insights. It’s truly shaping up to be an interesting race weekend here in Las Vegas. We’ll be following closely and will be back with more updates tomorrow!
