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Formula 1
United States GP
F1 United States GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 & Qualifying
Friday's action from the 18th round of the 2023 Formula 1 season
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Max Verstappen and Red Bull may have wrapped up the Formula 1 world drivers’ and constructors’ championships respectively, but there is still a five-race sprint to the end of 2023.
The rush to the conclusion of the F1 season starts with the United States GP, which hosts another sprint race weekend format. That means Friday’s action is a sole practice session before grand prix qualifying.
Verstappen remains heavy favourite given he’s won 14 out of 17 races so far this year and shows no sign of letting up his F1 domination. Behind him, the gap between Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton has narrowed to 30 points for the runner-up spot in the drivers’ standings.
Meanwhile, McLaren’s surge continues having moved to 11 points behind Aston Martin that holds fourth place in the F1 world constructors’ table after its consecutive double podium finish in Japan and Qatar.
The US GP’s single practice session starts at 6:30pm BST, followed by grand prix qualifying at 10pm BST.
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Alonso has now improved on his latest lap and goes ninth, a second off Norris' new benchmark time. That's a little more like it from the Aston as he's thousandths behind Perez.
Stopwatch
A new leader! Norris shoots to the top of the times on the mediums as he goes a tenth quicker than Hamilton.
Another driver down the leaderboard is Russell. He's only 17th while his team-mate is sitting happy at the top of the times.
Alonso stays 19th after that latest effort so it seems things still aren't quite right for Aston.
While plenty are struggling out on track, Stroll is struggling off it as his Aston is still being worked on in the garage - the Canadian is not even sat in the car. However, Alonso has just ventured back out, so let's see how he gets on.
Yellow flag
Piastri just had a big moment out of Turn 9 as he ran slightly wide, which sent his McLaren squirting towards the barriers. He saved it just in time but it was another heart-in-mouth moment.
Every time the Alpine has appeared on screen it has been struggling and, sure enough, there's another slide for Ocon as he heads through the final corner.
Halfway through the session now and Hamilton continues to lead the timesheets from Verstappen, with both having recently headed out on some more hard tyres. Potentially now in the phase where slightly longer runs are being completed.
Perhaps part of that gap is explained by Albon having a big slide through Turn 12 on a recent lap and having to skate into the run-off.
Sargeant is currently ahead of team-mate Albon and it's not often we've said that this year. It may only be 0.04s between them in 11th and 12th, but it still counts!
We've been speaking about Perez and Stroll being in the doldrums but Sargeant is another under a bit of pressure. It's home race this weekend so even more attention is set to be on him. Remember, he's the only driver not officially confirmed for next year.
Are there any cars not displaying American flags this weekend? Williams is another team with the stars and stripes bedecked on its machinery for the Texas trip.
Fairly quiet on track now with just Norris, Tsunoda and Leclerc out there. Good chance for someone to get in some traffic-free running.
But, just as we type that, Norris now goes up to third - as the team seeks to capitalise again on Aston's slump in performance. Although worth noting the Briton is on the medium rubber compared to the hards of the top two.
While focusing on the action in the pits, on the track Tsunoda has climbed up to third with the top six now being completed by Norris, Magnussen and Leclerc.
More trouble at Aston as it's not just Stroll's car being worked on as Alonso's front left is also being frantically looked at, while down at Red Bull it's the rear wing getting some attention on Verstappen's car.
Stopwatch
Hamilton has now usurped Verstappen's best, also on the hard rubber, with a 1m37.394s to go a tenth quicker.
That radio message was an old one and the Aston is back in the garage with a hive of activity around that front-left corner.
Quote
"We have an issue front-left corner," Stroll is told. "Do not use the brakes until you have to [when entering the box]." It seems the Canadian's misery is continuing.
Hulkenberg is the latest to lock up into Turn 1 as a few drivers seem to be struggling for a bit of grip.
Now Car 44 (Hamilton), always impressive in the States, narrows Verstappen's previously commanding advantage to just 0.044s.
Some rapid early pace from the Alfa Romeos here as Zhou goes up to second from Albon and Hamilton.
Stopwatch
Verstappen improves slightly on his own personal best and gets his time down to 1m37.498s.
And there's a heart-in-the-mouth moment for Sainz there as he flies through the fast sweepers at the start of the lap before encountering a slow Norris. There's no contact and he gets through but that was closer than he would've liked!
Few drivers are running wide in these opening laps with Ocon going off at Turn 12.
Hamilton is the latest driver to occupy second as the lap times continue to improve in these early stages.
Bottas is now in second but a second behind Verstappen as the Red Bull is restored to its regular position at the head of the timing screen.
Stopwatch
But Verstappen has now been knocked off top spot by Russell, very briefly, before the Red Bull driver improves to a 1m37.687s.
For those wondering about tyres, ominously, Verstappen has set his time on the hards, while Hulkenberg and Bottas are on the mediums.
Ricciardo goes fifth, behind Bottas and Perez, with his first attempt. All cars, meanwhile, have now headed out on track.
Stopwatch
We've now got some laps on the board and, guess what, it's Verstappen who is fastest so far. A 1m39.736s lap for him as he heads Hulkenberg by just a tenth on their first efforts.
Ricciardo begins the first flying lap of his latest F1 return but there's a bit of a wobble and slide at Turn 1 - perhaps not the most auspicious of starts.
Only three cars now haven't ventured out: the two Williams machines and Norris are those yet to sample the COTA circuit.
Liam Lawson, meanwhile, looks on from the AlphaTauri pits - perhaps wondering what more he could've done to land a full-time seat next year.
There's plenty of stars and stripes added to the Red Bulls this weekend as Perez becomes the 13th car to head out.
As expected, there is indeed a queue of cars at the end of the pitlane with Russell heading the two Haas machines onto the circuit.
Lights green
Anyway, enough of that, practice is go!
Interesting additions to the drivers' standings being displayed on the TV pictures now with medical car 1 in 19th place apparently...
But, regardless of whether it is indeed hasta luego for Mr Perez, the field is ready and rarin' to go in Texas with fewer than five minutes before practice kicks off.
Breaking news
Also hoping for a turnaround in form this weekend is Red Bull's number two, Sergio Perez. He has even had to downplay speculation that he could announce his retirement from F1 at his home race in Mexico next time out amid some of his poor performances: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/perez-rubbishes-f1-retirement-rumours/10534909/
By: Autosport Staff
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