Norris Sets Pace in First โAustin Practice, Hรผlkenberg Close Behind
Austin, Texas – mclaren’sโ Lando Norris topped โฃthe timingโ sheets in the opening practice session for theโข 2024 United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas,โฃ clocking a lap โtime of 1:33.289. Astonโฃ Martin’s nico Hรผlkenbergโข followed closely, finishing just 0.034 seconds behind Norris.
The first practiceโ session provides crucial data for teams to assess car performance and setup adjustments aheadโข of qualifying and the race. With theโฃ championship battle intensifying, every tenth of a โคsecond counts as teams prepareโข for a strategicโ weekend.โ The session also offered valuable track time for drivers to familiarize themselves with the unique characteristics of the Circuit of theโค Americas,โข a 20-turn, 3.427-mile track knownโ for โits challenging โelevation changes and technical sections.
Rounding out theโค top five were Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (+0.248), Red Bull Racing’s โฃMaxโ Verstappen (+0.364),โค and Mercedes’ George Russell (+0.488). Liamโ Lawson of Racing Bulls secured 13th place with a time of 1:34.619, +1.325 behindโ Norris.Alpine drivers Francoโ Colapinto and Pierre Gasly finished 16th and 17thโข respectively, while Carlos Sainz of Williams and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari completed the top 20 with times of 1:35.874 (+2.580) and 1:36.080 (+2.786).