Lando Norris got the United States Grand Prix weekend off to a fast start by setting the pace in the only practice session before sprint qualifying on Friday night.
A day after Norris unexpectedly revealed that he faced unspecified ‘repercussions’ from McLaren for colliding with team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri on the opening lap of the final race in Singapore, the F1 title fight is set to take place on the fourth sprint weekend of the season with just one hour to go before the competitive session begins. Practice resumed on the American circuit.
And it was Norris who set the fastest time, setting the best lap later in the session on soft tires in 1:33.294.
“It’s a small victory for practice, but it gives me some confidence in the sprint preliminaries.” Sky Sports F1 Jensen Button.
With the track making significant progress in the closing stages, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg jumped into second place, 0.255 seconds behind Norris, in the final moments of the run.
Piastri, who leads Norris by 22 points in the drivers’ championship, finished third, 0.279 seconds behind, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso fourth and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fifth.
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Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle believes McLaren’s attempt to expose Norris to ‘repercussions’ will ultimately have negative consequences.
Singapore GP winner George Russell, who finally signed a new Mercedes contract this week, and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and eighth respectively, using only medium tyres.
However, Charles Leclerc missed the final minutes of the session in his second Ferrari after giving up the run due to gearbox problems and an oil smell coming from the car.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz completed significantly fewer laps (nine) after his session was halted early with gearbox problems.
Alex Albon gave his team a boost with sixth fastest time in another Williams car, with Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Haas’ Oliver Bearman also completing the top ten.
Brown: Norris’ influence will be ‘sports’ but minimal
Meanwhile, with all focus on McLaren as it prepares for practice following Norris’ revelations on Thursday, chief executive Jack Brown shed more light on the ‘impact’ faced by the Briton. Although the exact sanctions are not yet known.
“Instead of what happened, there’s some repercussions for the sport. We move forward,” Brown said. Sky Sports F1 During a session at the McLaren pit wall.
“Drivers will be able to race comfortably and freely and we are looking forward to a big racing weekend.”
And on the scale of the impact being imposed, Brown added: “It’s very subtle. It’s probably not noticeable. Lando and Oscar know what it is, and that’s the most important thing.”
Live US GP schedule on Sky Sports F1
Friday, October 17th
8:30 PM: Team leader press conference
10:00 PM: US GP Sprint Qualifying (Qualifying starts at 10:30 PM*)
Saturday, October 18th
5pm: Building the US GP sprint
6pm: US GP Sprint
7 p.m.: Ted’s sprint notes
9pm: Preparing for US GP Qualifying*
10pm: US GP Qualifying*
12:00 AM (Sunday Morning): Ted’s Qualifying Laptop*
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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the United States Grand Prix.
Sunday, October 19th
6:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: U.S. GP strengthened*
8 p.m.: United States Grand Prix*
10 PM: Checkered Flag: US GP Reaction
11 PM: Ted’s Notes
*It will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 in North America for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
