Max Verstappen recorded the sixth fastest time on Friday in the second training for the Grand Prix of Las Vegas. Charles Leclerc was the fastest in the practice session, which was only held at night, after a loose manhole cover had caused many problems in the first training.
Due to the loose lid, the first session was stopped after just eight minutes. It led to a lot of delays: the second training only started at 2:30 am (local time) and lasted an hour and a half to compensate for the time lost in the first session. The audience had already been sent home.
Verstappen recorded a fastest time of 1.36.183 in the second training. That was considerably slower than Leclerc, who recorded 1.35.265. His Ferrari colleague Carlos Sainz (1.35.782) and Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso (1.35.793) were the only other drivers to dip below 1.36.
Verstappen also had to tolerate Red Bull Racing teammate Sergio Pérez (fourth) and Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas (fifth). Nico Hülkenberg, Lance Stroll, Lewis Hamilton and Alexander Albon completed the top ten.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is ​​back on the Formula 1 calendar after 41 years. The organization has allocated approximately 460 million euros to make the event a great success. In that respect, the first training was a major disappointment.
The third training and qualifying will follow on Saturday in the gambling city. The race starts on Sunday at 7:00 am (Dutch time).
Timetable Las Vegas (Dutch times)
- Saturday 5.30am-6.30am: Third free practice
- Saturday 9am-10am: Qualification
- Sunday 7:00 am: Race
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