(Austin) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) set the best time in the free practice session of the United States Grand Prix, 18th round of 22 of the Formula 1 World Championship, Friday at the Circuit of the Americas (5.513 km ) in Austin.
The Dutchman, crowned world champion for the third year in a row two weeks ago in Qatar, does not seem satisfied and again dominated the competition during the only free practice session of the weekend.
Indeed, with the sprint scheduled for Saturday afternoon, the drivers will take part in qualifying from the second run on Friday to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Verstappen beat Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) by 156 and 281 thousandths of a second respectively.
Mexican Sergio Pérez set the fourth fastest time at the wheel of the second Red Bull, three tenths behind his teammate.
Fifth place went to the surprising Haas of Dane Kevin Magnussen. At home, the American single-seaters were to their advantage as the German Nico Hülkenberg finished ninth.
The top 10 is completed by the Briton George Russell (Mercedes), sixth, the Thai Alex Albon (Williams), seventh, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), eighth and the Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine), tenth.
McLaren, the team in good form at the moment which placed its two drivers on the podium in the last three races, the Grand Prix of Japan and Qatar, including the sprint won by Australian Oscar Piastri in the Gulf emirate , struggled in Texas.
The Briton Lando Norris is in 15th place, while his Oceanian teammate, who is discovering the circuit of the Americas, finished 19th and penultimate.
Aston Martin also disappointed with the 18th fastest time for Spaniard Fernando Alonso and the 20th and last for Canadian Lance Stroll, who was only able to complete five laps due to a brake problem.
Grand Prix qualifying begins on Friday at 4 p.m. local time.
