United States GP Lando Norris Leads in Only Practice Session Surpassing Title Rivals Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen

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United States GP Lando Norris Leads in Only Practice Session Surpassing Title Rivals Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen

Lando Norris had an impressive performance at the United States Grand Prix weekend, taking the top spot in the only practice session ahead of Sprint Qualifying. This session marked a critical moment for Norris, especially after announcing the possibility of repercussions from McLaren due to his recent collision with teammate Oscar Piastri in Singapore. As the competition intensified at the Circuit of the Americas, Norris clocked a best lap of 1:33.294 on soft tires.

Practice Session Overview

The practice session served as the only hour for drivers to prepare before the competitive Sprint weekend. Norris’ fast lap provided him with a confidence boost going into Sprint Qualifying, as noted by Sky Sports F1 analyst Jenson Button.

Key Results from the Session

Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:33.294
Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – +0.255 seconds
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.279 seconds
Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +0.345 seconds
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.354 seconds

In the final moments of the practice, Hulkenberg surged to second place, trailing only Norris. Piastri, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by 22 points over Norris, finished in third.

Driver Challenges

Several drivers faced difficulties during the session. Charles Leclerc in Ferrari had to abandon his run due to gearbox issues. His teammate, Carlos Sainz, recorded only nine laps before also experiencing gearbox trouble. On the other hand, Alex Albon finished sixth, showcasing potential for Williams.

Impact of McLaren’s Decisions

Amid the focus on Norris’s situation, McLaren CEO Zak Brown clarified the nature of the repercussions faced by Norris. He described them as marginal and primarily sporting, emphasizing that both drivers feel they can compete freely.