Lewis Hamilton was the fastest in training in Las Vegas. © APA / CLIVE MASON

Hamilton dominates training in Las Vegas

Formula 1 record world champion Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in the first two training sessions for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

22 November 2024

From: apa/sn

In the second session on Thursday evening (local time) in the US state of Nevada, however, the Mercedes driver was only eleven thousandths of a second faster than McLaren driver Lando Norris. George Russell came third in the second Mercedes; the Briton had taken second place in the first session on the dusty street circuit.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff assessed the good results soberly. "We've had a few good Fridays where there wasn't much grip and the car was sliding around. That's why it's difficult to judge. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. If there's more grip tomorrow, our car will definitely be more difficult to drive than the others," said the Viennese.

Verstappen still has some catching up to do

World Championship leader Max Verstappen finished the second practice session in 17th place, almost two seconds behind, but the Red Bull driver did not drive a fast lap on the softest set of tires. Verstappen had finished fifth in the first practice session. "We simply ran out of time. There is still a lot of work to do if we want to be up there," analyzed Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.

Max Verstappen still has some catching up to do. © APA / CHRIS GRAYTHEN

On the dirty track and in cool temperatures, the drivers had noticeable difficulties finding good grip on the roads that had just been used by regular city traffic. The second practice session also had to be interrupted briefly due to a defect involving Williams driver Alexander Albon.

Verstappen can secure fourth world championship title

In the overall standings, Verstappen has a comfortable lead of 62 points over Norris with three races to go. The Dutchman could secure his fourth world championship title in a row in the gambling metropolis if he finishes ahead of Norris in the night-time Grand Prix (Sunday, 7.00:XNUMX a.m. CET). The McLaren driver must make up at least three points to postpone the early world championship decision.