Leclerc edges Verstappen by 0.084s to lead Ferrari's upgraded charge in COTA FP1

Charles Leclerc led a competitive first practice session for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas on Friday, clocking a 1m36.052s on soft tyres to edge Max Verstappen by 0.084 seconds. Ferrari arrived in Austin running what is understood to be its final aerodynamic upgrade package of the season, featuring revisions to the floor, bargeboard, sidepod and diffuser.

Despite the team playing down expectations and describing the package as a minor improvement, Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were immediately competitive on the undulating 5.5km circuit. Hamilton set the early benchmark before Leclerc took seven tenths off his own previous best midway through the session to move to the top of the timesheets.

Verstappen, whose Red Bull also carried an updated front wing, looked particularly strong through COTA’s opening sector and the fast Esses complex. A lap that appeared to have been quick enough to displace Leclerc was deleted for a track limits violation at the penultimate corner, leaving the four-time world champion second.

Lando Norris took third for McLaren, 0.245 seconds off the pace after managing a couple of snaps of oversteer, with George Russell fourth for Mercedes. The top four teams were all represented inside the top four positions, suggesting a closely fought weekend ahead.

Kimi Antonelli, who leads the drivers’ championship heading into Austin, settled for fifth after running the harder compound in the opening phase of the session. Hamilton ended sixth with Oscar Piastri seventh.

In the midfield, Gabriel Bortoleto was the standout performer, guiding his Audi to eighth place and finishing just under a second off the frontrunners. Arvid Lindblad took ninth in the Racing Bulls car, which holds a comfortable advantage in the battle for fifth in the constructors’ standings. Liam Lawson and Haas driver Oliver Bearman rounded out the top ten.

Aston Martin showed signs of improvement, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll taking 12th and 13th respectively. Isack Hadjar, in the second Red Bull, lost his qualifying simulation lap to a track limits infringement and ended the session outside the top 13.