2024 Las Vegas GP FP1: Hamilton surprises in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton led FP1 the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell, with McLaren's Lando Norris securing third.

Ben

By Ben Bush
Published on November 22, 2024

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix FP1
Lewis Hamilton (car no. 44) in the Mercedes during FP1 of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix // Image: Mercedes Media

Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two with teammate George Russell during the first practice session as Formula 1 made its anticipated return to The Strip for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The Mercedes team capitalised on using the softest and fastest tyre compound late in the session, taking advantage of the rapidly improving track conditions under the city lights.

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Hamilton clocked a fastest lap of 1:35.001, finishing nearly 0.4 seconds ahead of Russell. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc followed in third and fourth, respectively, each around a second behind the seven-time World Champion.

Lap times steadily improved as the track became rubbered in, but the session truly came alive when Ferrari switched to the soft tyres with about 20 minutes to go, surging to the top of the leaderboard.

Lando Norris quickly responded, setting a new fastest time, but Mercedes—already showing strong pace on the medium compound—waited until the session’s closing moments to make their move.

Both Russell and Hamilton completed two flying laps, each progressively raising the bar. Hamilton, running behind his teammate on track, capitalised on the opportunity to deliver the final statement, setting a commanding lap time that solidified his position at the top.

Max Verstappen, poised to secure his fourth consecutive Drivers’ title this weekend, finished fifth, just over a second off Hamilton’s pace. The Dutchman can clinch the championship by finishing ahead of Norris or by ensuring he loses no more than three points to the McLaren driver.

Carlos Sainz took sixth place for Ferrari, a team many had tipped as favourites for the weekend due to their strong form in Las Vegas last year and recent competitive performances.

Ferrari aimed to close a 36-point gap to Constructors’ Championship leaders McLaren, while Red Bull sat another 13 points further back in the standings.

Las Vegas GP FP1 Results

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix FP1, 21 November 2024

PosNoDriverCarTimeGapLaps
144Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:35.00126
263George RussellMercedes1:35.397+0.396s29
34Lando NorrisMcLaren Mercedes1:35.954+0.953s27
416Charles LeclercFerrari1:36.007+1.006s27
51Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:36.038+1.037s25
655Carlos SainzFerrari1:36.218+1.217s26
714Fernando AlonsoAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:36.262+1.261s25
881Oscar PiastriMcLaren Mercedes1:36.451+1.450s26
910Pierre GaslyAlpine Renault1:36.478+1.477s24
1011Sergio PerezRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:36.536+1.535s25
1120Kevin MagnussenHaas Ferrari1:36.811+1.810s24
1218Lance StrollAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:36.817+1.816s25
1323Alexander AlbonWilliams Mercedes1:36.948+1.947s26
1431Esteban OconAlpine Renault1:37.152+2.151s25
1527Nico HulkenbergHaas Ferrari1:37.200+2.199s24
1677Valtteri BottasKick Sauber Ferrari1:37.765+2.764s25
1743Franco ColapintoWilliams Mercedes1:38.025+3.024s28
1824Zhou GuanyuKick Sauber Ferrari1:38.350+3.349s23
1922Yuki TsunodaRB Honda RBPT1:38.574+3.573s23
2030Liam LawsonRB Honda RBPT1:38.730+3.729s28

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About The Author

Staff Writer

Ben Bush
Ben

Ben is a staff writer specialising in F1 from the 1990s to the modern era. Ben has been following Formula 1 since 1986 and is an avid researcher who loves understanding the technology that makes it one of the most exciting motorsport on the planet. He listens to podcasts about F1 on a daily basis, and enjoys reading books from the inspirational Adrian Newey to former F1 drivers.

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