F1: free 1, Mercedes flies over the competition, Gasly P6 in the USA

Formule 1, Austin, FP1 – Free practice 2 of the F1 Grand Prix of the Americas has just delivered their verdict and it is the Mercedes who have stunned the competition. And in particular the Red Bull Honda of Max Verstappen, which is ahead of the two Ferraris.

Formula 1: free 1, some surprises despite everything

The circuit of Austin was supposed to be particularly favorable to Mercedes, the free practice 1 confirmed this prognosis. Indeed, Valtteri Bottas, best time of this first session of the day, was almost a second faster than the third, Max Verstappen. Just ahead of the Red Bull Honda rider, Lewis Hamilton set the second fastest time, + 0.045s behind his teammate.

At the launch of this session 1 of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of the Americas, it was Fernando Alonso who, unbeknownst to him, caused a red flag to emerge. A hydraulic problem on the Alpine F1, a priori. Hopefully this doesn’t involve any changes that could penalize the Spaniard on the starting grid. Behind the three strong men of this championship, surprise, with the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, respectively classified 5th and sixth in these FP1s. Nevertheless, the two men accuse almost a second and a half behind the Silver Arrows a chasm.

Best Frenchman, Pierre Gasly completed the top six, ahead of Sergio Perez and Lando Norris. Second surprise of the day, the presence of the two Alfa Romeos in the top ten. Kimi Raikkonen, 9th, is ahead of Antonio Giovinazzi. Remember that the Finn won his last F1 victory on the same Austin track. Finally, we should point out the fine 11th lap time of George Russell, at the wheel of an increasingly efficient Williams. The Briton is ahead of Esteban Ocon, only twelfth at the helm of the Alpine.

Here is the complete classification of the session, while waiting for free practice 2, to be followed at 22:00.

1. bottas
2. Hamilton
3. Verstappen
4. Leclerc
5. Sainz
6. Gasly
7. Perez
8. Norris
9. Raikkonen
10. Giovinazzi
11. Russell
12. Ocon
13. Stroll
14. Vettel
15. Alonso
16. Ricciardo
17. Latifi
18. Tsunoda
19. Schumacher
20. Mazepin

Article published on 10/22/2021 at 8:17 p.m.

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