The Formula One cars hit the Strip for the first practice session of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday night, with all manhole covers sealed to avoid any mishaps like last year when Carlos Sainz Jr. ran over one. This year, the practice session went smoothly, and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes set the fastest time with a lap of 1 minute, 35.001 seconds.
Hamilton, who will drive for Ferrari next year, expressed his determination to perform his best in the upcoming races and hopes for a better result if Mercedes provides a competitive car. His teammate, George Russell, secured the second spot with a lap time of 1:35.397. Both Hamilton and Russell maintained their positions at the top of the practice leaderboard for most of the session.
The second practice was set for later on Thursday, with the final practice scheduled for Friday evening, followed by qualifying on Friday night, and the race on Saturday night. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the gap between his team and others in the first practice but remains hopeful that they will stay competitive and fight at the front throughout the weekend.
McLaren’s Lando Norris finished third in the first practice, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Verstappen, who won last year’s race in Brazil, aims to maintain his competitive edge in the championship battle. Norris, on the other hand, needs to outperform Verstappen in Las Vegas to keep his title hopes alive.
The drivers shared their insights as they arrived at the track for the race, highlighting the challenges and excitement of racing on the Las Vegas circuit. The atmosphere leading up to the race is expected to intensify as the weekend progresses, with drivers anticipating a thrilling night race experience.
This year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix introduces a new race director, Rui Marques, following the removal of Niels Wittich after the Brazil race. The decision to replace Wittich, who oversaw race operations and driver penalties, came as a surprise to many drivers, prompting discussions about improving communication and collaboration between drivers and the FIA.
As the excitement builds for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, fans can expect a competitive race under the lights on the Strip. With favorites like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in contention, the stage is set for an electrifying showdown on Saturday night. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the event.
