US Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc sets Austin practice pace from Max Verstappen
BBC Sport
By Andrew Benson
F1 Correspondent in Austin
Published 12 minutes ago
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the pace from Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the United States Grand Prix.
Leclerc was 0.084 seconds quicker than Verstappen at the start of the first weekend on which Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli can clinch his first world title.
The Italian was fifth fastest, 0.481secs off the pace, behind McLaren's Lando Norris and Mercedes' George Russell.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was sixth ahead of McLaren's Oscar Piastri.
Antonelli will win the championship in Austin only if he wins the race and Russell finishes below eighth and Hamilton below fourth.
Key Points:
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Mercedes revert to upgraded specification introduced in Malaysia but remain unsure of its performance.
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Ferrari introduces new floor upgrade, Hamilton plays down its potential impact.
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Leclerc sets the pace in first practice, Verstappen second.
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First practice results available.