Lewis Hamilton topped the two practice sessions on Saturday to make a perfect start to the Las Vegas Grand Prix as championship leader Max Verstappen struggled for pace.
Hamilton was fastest in a largely unrepresentative first practice but set the pace in the second session to underline Mercedes’ strong form in cold Vegas conditions.
Lando Norris is just 0.011s behind Hamilton at the weekend as he bids to keep the title race alive as he overtakes Verstappen by 62 points with three events remaining.
Norris needs to beat Verstappen by at least three points in Sunday’s 6am race to stay in the championship and he will be sorely missed by Red Bull’s lack of speed.
Verstappen did not finish running on soft tires in the second practice, so he dropped to 17th, but did not look like challenging for the top position.
After an impressive win in the rain last time out in Brazil, Red Bull are behind as they have been at many events in the second half of the season.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Watch Lewis Hamilton claim the fastest lap in first practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
George Russell was also fast all day and finished third, just 0.190s slower than Hamilton, who is nearing the end of his 12 seasons at Mercedes before joining Ferrari in 2025.
Ferrari were in the mix as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc completed the top five, with Pierre Gasly a surprising sixth for Alpine, one race off Sao Paulo’s second podium finish.
Another hour’s practice takes place on Saturday at 2.30am, with qualifying at 6am – live Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz explains why drivers are struggling to get into the pit lane at the Las Vegas GP.
Cold conditions helped Mercedes
Mercedes only had a podium in seven races after the summer break, with Hamilton and Russell often battling in midfield rather than at the front.
Hamilton took the team’s last victory, in Belgium, although Russell took the checkered flag in first place only to be disqualified for an illegal car.
The trend for Mercedes this year has been more competitive when the temperature has cooled, and Vegas is the coldest place in the F1 calendar as the temperature only reaches around 15 degrees Celsius at night.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff mocked Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur as Lewis Hamilton was denied an early Ferrari test due to his Mercedes contract.
Russell initially set the pace on the soft tires in second practice but Hamilton pulled back before a brief red flag for Alex Albon, who came to a stop with fuel system problems with 20 minutes remaining.
Most drivers completed the qualifying simulation but not championship leader Verstappen or Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
Both drivers have either locked up or walked away on Friday and Verstappen may be relieved to have a healthy championship lead ahead of the final triple-header in 2024.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Alex Albon’s FP2 session in Las Vegas was cut short after his car had to be pulled off the track
“Max went to Turn 1, ran wide and had some understeer through Turn 2 and went into the dust,” observed Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok while keeping an eye on Verstappen’s soft tire efforts in the second practice.
“He canceled that lap and then did another lap to recharge and did the first two sectors before the red flag but eight tenths in Hamilton. It didn’t look good.”
Sky Sports F1 schedule live Las Vegas GP
Saturday 23 November
2.15 am: Las Vegas GP Practice Three*
5am: Las Vegas GP Qualifying Set-up*
6am: LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
8am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday 24 November
4.30: Grand Prix Sunday: Las Vegas GP build-up*
6am: THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX*
8am: Checkered Flag: Las Vegas GP Reaction*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 returns with the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1 where Max Verstappen can score the championship. Stream the last three F1 races and more with Sports Month Membership NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
