Leclerc rules Friday in Austin – Antonelli just 42 thousandths behind
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped both practice sessions for the United States Grand Prix. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was a whisker behind in FP2, with Max Verstappen third.
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Video: YouTube · FORMULA 1 · youtube.com
Charles Leclerc dominated Friday practice at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. In FP1 the Ferrari driver set the fastest lap of 1:36.052, ahead of Max Verstappen (+0.084s) and Lando Norris (+0.245s). According to Formula1.com, Verstappen had gone quicker with a 1:35.862, but the lap was deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 19. Ferrari brought an updated floor to Austin.
In FP2 Leclerc improved to 1:35.291. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli followed (+0.042s), ahead of Verstappen (+0.189s), Lewis Hamilton (+0.615s) and George Russell (+0.744s). Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson was sixth, ahead of McLaren pair Norris and Oscar Piastri. Antonelli complained about his seat on the radio, saying it was moving "like crazy", Speedweek reported. Russell was investigated for pushing Leclerc off track on a fast lap; the stewards took no further action.
Leclerc said "we must not get carried away by too high expectations ahead of tomorrow", Formula1.com reported. FP3 starts on Saturday at 17:30 GMT, with qualifying at 21:00 GMT. Antonelli can clinch the title early on Sunday with a win if Russell and Hamilton do not finish high enough.