Charles Leclerc tops first Las Vegas Grand Prix practice as turn 12 strikes many

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the timing boards in the first hour of practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, pipping Williams’ Alexander Albon, as turn 12 caught many drivers out early in the weekend. 

Feature image credit: Antoine Truchet // Ferrari Media

As the sun began to set in Nevada, the roar of Formula 1 engines came alive, and Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar was the first driver to head out onto the street circuit, slowly followed by everyone else.

Medium tyres were the preferred tyre, straight out of the gate, whilst Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg opted for the hard tyres, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso went for a soft tyre start. 

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was the first to bring out a brief yellow flag as the Frenchman couldn’t get the car turned within the first 15 minutes of the session. He was able to turn the car around without any further issues. 

As the session approached the halfway point, many drivers pulled into the pits. Many pulled back out of the circuit with the soft tyres to start early qualifying simulations. 

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Turn 12 had stood out as a troubled spot throughout the session as a handful of drivers failed to get through the corner without issue, such as Gasly, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), Oliver Beaman (Haas), Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), Alexander Albon (Williams) and Norris, who took to the run off twice consecutively heading into the final 10 minutes of the session. 

All six drivers had to take to the run-off to avoid a hit with the barrier, with Albon locking up at the end of the session as he broke to head into the corner.

Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, who unfortunately crashed out of his home race last time out, is set to be investigated after the session for a yellow flag infringement. 

‘One race at a time’ for Lando Norris ahead of critical Las Vegas Grand Prix

So, who finished where after the first hour of practice in Las Vegas?

1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
2. Alexander Albon, Williams
3. Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
4. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
5. Carlos Sainz, Williams
6. Lando Norris, McLaren
7. Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
8. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
9. George Russell, Mercedes
10. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
11. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
12. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
13. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
14. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
15. Lance Strol, Aston Martin
16. Oliver Bearman, Haas
17. Esteban Ocon, Haas
18. Nico Hulkenberg, Kick Sauber
19. Gabriel Bortoleto, Kick Sauber
20. Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Read more Formula 1 here:

• F1 teams bringing special liveries to Las Vegas Grand Prix
• Las Vegas GP Preview: Championship fight continues in Sin City ahead of final three races
• Weather Report: the latest forecast ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix
• FIA Commission Meeting: two-stops, testing restrictions and car liveries
• Audi reveal livery concept ahead of 2026 F1 arrival
• Ferrari drivers share posts of unity following criticism

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.