Las Vegas GP: Lewis Hamilton tops Practice One from Mercedes team-mate George Russell with Lando Norris third

Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two from George Russell in first practice as Formula 1 returned to The Strip at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Silver Arrows took advantage of fitting the softest – and fastest – tyre compound in the closing stages of the session on a rapidly improving surface under the city’s stunning lights to finish well clear of the rest of the field.

Hamilton’s time of 1:35.001s put him almost 0.4s clear of Russell, while McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were marginally either side of a second back from the seven-time world champion in third and fourth, respectively.

Max Verstappen, who can seal his fourth successive drivers’ title in Sunday’s race, was also just over a second back from Hamilton in fifth.

Verstappen could win the world championship with two races to spare by simply finishing ahead of Norris on Sunday, while the Dutchman would also be crowned if he avoided losing three points or more to the McLaren driver.

Carlos Sainz was sixth for Ferrari, who many considered the favourites coming into the weekend due to both their strong performance on F1’s return to Las Vegas last year, and strong run of recent form.

Ferrari are attempting to close a 36-point deficit to Constructors’ Championship leaders McLaren, with Red Bull a further 13 points adrift.

Las Vegas GP Practice One Timesheet


Driver	Team	Time
1) Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1:35.001
2) George Russell	Mercedes	+0.396
3) Lando Norris	McLaren	+0.953
4) Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+1.006
5) Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+1.037
6) Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	+1.217
7) Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	+1.261
8) Oscar Piastri	McLaren	+1.450
9) Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1.477
10) Sergio Perez	Red Bull	+1.535
11) Kevin Magnussen	Haas	+1.810
12) Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+1.816
13) Alex Albon	Williams	+1.947
14) Esteban Ocon	Alpine	+2.151
15) Nico Hulkenberg	Haas	+2.199
16) Valtteri Bottas	Sauber	+2.764
17) Franco Colapinto	Williams	+3.024
18) Zhou Guanyu	Sauber	+3.349
19) Yuki Tsunoda	RB	+3.573
20) Liam Lawson	RB	+3.729

Sky Sports F1’s live Las Vegas GP schedule

Friday November 22
5.45am: Las Vegas GP Practice Two
7.15am: The F1 Show*

Saturday November 23
2.15am: Las Vegas GP Practice Three*
5am: Las Vegas GP Qualifying build-up*
6am: LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
8am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*

Sunday November 24
4.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Las Vegas GP build-up*
6am: THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX*
8am: Chequered 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 could seal the championship. Stream the final three F1 races and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

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