AUSTIN, Texas — Formula 1 has made its way to American soil for the United States Grand Prix, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has emerged as the frontrunner during Friday’s practice sessions at Circuit of the Americas.
Leclerc missed the opening practice session — he sat out so young driver Robert Swartzman could take a turn behind the wheel — but came back in the second session to record a fast lap of 1:36.810, which held for the remainder of the day.
Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz and the newly crowned champion Max Verstappen rounded out the top three. Verstappen secured his second Formula 1 world title during the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit earlier this month.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton clocked a solid performance in fourth with a 1:37.322-second lap time around the circuit.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll finished fifth while Red Bull Racing’s Sergio Perez came in sixth. Perez and Leclerc are currently engaged in a tight battle for second in the driver’s championship.
Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso and George Russell rounded out the top 10.