12:04
Full results
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship,…
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari SF-23
F1 Las Vegas GP 2023: How a disrupted Friday practice played out
Scroll down for details of a remarkable day in F1 history.
The first-ever Vegas Practice session was cut short after just a few minutes by a loose drain cover. A much-delayed Free Practice 2 session ended at 4am local time, without any fans.
17 Nov 2023
12:02
Chequered flag
Charles Leclerc goes fastest in Practice.
We finish at 4am local time, an utterly bizarre day in F1 history.
11:56
Five mins to go
Leclerc and Sainz, the Ferrari duo, still at the top of the timesheet.
11:47
Twenty minutes to go
1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:35.265
2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, +0.517
3) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin, +0.528
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +0.820
5) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, +0.864
6) Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +0.918
7) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas, +1.224
8) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, +1.231
9) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, +1.398
10) Alex Albon, Williams, +1.423
11:39
Ted Kravitz has noticed something
Sky pitlane reporter thinks Red Bull are focused on Ferrari and McLaren, and NOT Mercedes or Aston Martin.
11:34
Alonso back in the mix
Aston Martin driver nips into second.
11:34
New top four, 28 mins to go
Leclerc
Sainz
Perez
Bottas
11:29
33 mins to go
Verstappen beats Alonso's time, then Leclerc goes fastest!
11:24
Alonso fastest!
Fernando Alonso goes 1:36.657, the best time so far!
40 mins left.
11:18
"Storming" Hamilton!
Lewis Hamilton up to third, 0.003s behind leader Leclerc. Described as a "storming lap!"
11:10
Ferraris in front
Leclerc beats his teammate Sainz's time...
11:09
After 30 minutes
1) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, 1:36.984
2) Sergio Perez, Red Bull, +0.823
3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull, +1.225
4) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, +1.341
5) Alex Albon, Williams, +1.524
6) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, +1.892
7) Lando Norris, McLaren, +2.293
8) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo, +2.398
9) Kevin Magnussen, Haas, +2.458
10) Logan Sargeant, Williams, +2.598
11:01
Side by side!
"Max is racing," Leclerc says on his radio.
10:49
71 minutes to go
Verstappen reclaims top spot from Leclerc.
10:49
No McLaren issues
Zak Brown confirms there are no major problems despite both McLarens coming into the pits.
10:42
A few worries...
Perez and Magnussen guilty of running wide at Turn 12. Something to keep an eye on.
10:42
Leclerc goes fastest
Ferrari driver goes 1:38.917. Carlos Sainz had previously beaten Verstappen's earlier time.
Ferrari one-two at the moment.
10:37
Verstappen's time
1:41.905 from the F1 champ, that's an early benchmark.
10:36
Norris into the pits already.
10:34
First cars emerge
The McLarens and Verstappen are the first to venture out.
10:30
FP2 finally underway!
After more than two hours of delays we have a green light at the end of the pitlane and are go for FP2.
10:04
Will tyres and temperatures dominate Vegas GP?
09:46
Delayed start again
2am local (10am UK) start time for Free Practice 2 has been delayed "due to work that remains ongoing by local circuit engineers".
New start time is 10.30am UK.
09:42
Fan areas closed
Vegas organisers confirm that fan areas have been closed, 30 minutes before practice is set to resume. This is due to "logistical considerations".
09:39
10am UK start
The plan is to resume at 2am local time, 10am UK time.
That's in 21 minutes.
Let's hope we see some action...