Summary

  • Charles Leclerc fastest in Las Vegas GP first practice

  • Lando Norris sixth and Oscar Piastri eighth

  • Second practice from 04:00 GMT

  • Norris leads Piastri by 24 points in title race

  • Three races remaining with maximum of 83 available

  • Select audio icon for Sports Extra commentary (UK only)

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Live Reporting

Jay Freeman

  1. How are we all doing? Have we adequately caffeinated ourselves for night one of Formula 1 action in Vegas?

    Remember, once this session's out of the way, FP2 gets going at 04:00 GMT.

  2. Fernando Alonso goes wide into turn 14.

    And he's not the only one to have a few troubles at the minute. Alex Albon locks up while Oscar Piastri is forced to ditch the corner at the last second.

  3. Alice Powell
    British racing driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra in Las Vegas

    Track evolution is huge here; you see that most of the time on street circuits.

  4. No sooner does Lewis Hamilton go top, his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc nabs P1 off him.

    His 1:35.281 means he goes top of the tree.

    Another stellar first practice session from Ferrari so far, but can they keep this up for the entire weekend?

  5. Lewis Hamilton goes fastest.

    The seven-time world champion set two purple sectors on his way to top spot with a 1:35.561, two tenths faster than Max Verstappen.

    Lewis HamiltonGetty Images

  6. Andrew Benson
    BBC F1 correspondent in Las Vegas

    Up until the summer break, Oscar Piastri was without question the lead McLaren driver. He looked very comfortable and it was hard to imagine at that point a way that he could lose the championship. Since the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri has only beaten Lando Norris in one competitive session - and that was qualifying in Singapore.

  7. Top five

    At the midway point of this first practice session, this is the lay of the land in the top five:

    1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:35.776

    2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.178

    3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.307

    4. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) +0.314

    5. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.370

  8. Just five cars out right now as we swiftly approach the halfway point of this session.

  9. Isack Hadjar is not happy with the Williams of Alex Albon.

    The pair gesture at each other as Hadjar attempts to wield his RB to the right of Albon at high speed.

  10. Max Verstappen regains top spot with a 1:35.776.

    Meanwhile Charles Leclerc is second fastest 0.178 seconds behind while the 2024 winner at this track, George Russell, is third.

  11. Charles Leclerc is looking very handy in his Ferrari tonight.

    His 1:35.954 is 0.089 seconds faster than Max Verstappen in second as we approach the midway point of this first practice session.

    Charles LeclercGetty Images

  12. Ollie Bearman and Gabriel Bortoleto both go off at the same corner shortly after each other.

    Both locked up their tyres. This comes after Pierre Gasly also had to think fast to stop his Alpine going into the wall earlier on.

  13. Lewis Hamilton goes fifth fastest with a 1:37.216 shortly before his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc sets the third fastest time, 0.116 seconds behind Max Verstappen who's currently the fastest man in Las Vegas.

  14. Most cars have opted for the medium C4 tyre at the minute.

    And Max Verstappen's no exception as he goes fastest with a 1:36.493 on a set of mediums.

  15. It's busy out there. No sooner do I type that one driver's leading, another one usurps them.

    But it's the same names at the top of the tree.

    Charles Leclerc wrestles his Ferrari back to teh summit with a 1:37.407.

  16. Max Verstappen sets a purple final sector as he goes second fastest but Carlos Sainz is a man on a mission.

    The Spaniard tops the charts with a 1:37.588.

  17. Somewhat predictably, the times are-a tumblin'.

    Charles Leclerc sets a 1:38.114 with drivers' championship leader Lando Norris 0.164 seconds behind him in second.

  18. Top five

    1. Isack Hadjar (RB) 1:39.355

    2. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.602

    3. Ollie Bearman (Haas) +0.759

    4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.980

    5. Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.169

  19. Get Involved - 'the things we do for F1'

    David: Die-hard fan, pensioner, seen many drivers. Will be watching this column. Live reporting rocks! I'm gripped by this year's run-up to season's end... three-way fight, best it's been for years, and truly unpredictable! I will be in the BBC F1 site for the weekend.

    Rebecca: I've stayed up to follow FP1, with a short power-nap planned before FP2. Fully prepared for my sleep schedule to go out of the window this weekend. The things we do for F1!

  20. Carlos Sainz, who could do with a decent weekend in his locker, leapfrogs above Charles Leclerc but is soon outdone by Pierre Gasly who sets a flat 1:41.000.

    But, spoiling that perfect three zeros, is Leclerc who dips into the 1:39s just moments later.