Formula 1 kicked off its 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend with a nail-biting Free Practice 1 session on the slick streets of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, where Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari posted the fastest lap: 1:34.802. The Italian time zone conversion meant the session began at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 — a late-night start for fans in the U.S., but perfect for capturing the neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip under floodlights. By the checkered flag at 2:30 a.m. Italian time, Leclerc had outpaced rivals not just with raw speed, but with adaptability — turning a treacherous, greasy track into his personal playground.
Track Conditions: From Slippery to Sticky
The asphalt at the 3.85-mile temporary circuit was described by multiple outlets as “very slippery” early on. Drivers struggled to find grip, especially through the high-speed sweepers near the Caesars Palace section and the brutal left-hander at Turn 14. Pierre Gasly of Alpine spun there early, while Lando Norris of McLaren kissed the wall exiting Turn 12 — twice. The track, laid over city streets between the Bellagio and the Hard Rock Hotel, gained grip as rubber built up. That’s when the real racing began.
Who Rose, Who Struggled
Leclerc’s final lap was a masterpiece: Soft tires, perfect line, zero mistakes. He edged out Alexander Albon of Williams by just 0.166 seconds — a gap so narrow it’s almost poetic. Albon, usually a quiet force, delivered a breakout performance, moving into second with just minutes left. Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri completed the top three, 0.269 seconds back, showing that the midfield is tighter than ever.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing — the defending champion and 2023 Las Vegas winner — finished fourth, 0.307 seconds off the pace. He’d briefly led early, but couldn’t match Leclerc’s late surge. The real shock? Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren, both championship contenders, never cracked the top five. Norris’s repeated wide runs at Turn 12 suggested a fundamental setup issue, not just driver error.
Race Pace and Strategy: The Real Story
What matters more than qualifying pace? Race pace. And here, Ferrari looked dominant. Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz both switched to Medium tires in the final 20 minutes, simulating long stints. Their times remained competitive — Sainz clocked a 1:35.712, just under a second slower than Leclerc’s best. That’s a huge advantage on a track where tire degradation can be brutal.
Mercedes, meanwhile, looked competitive but inconsistent. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were in the top five early, but faded slightly as others improved. Russell, who won last year’s race, was visibly frustrated after a lock-up at Turn 7. McLaren’s struggles were even more telling. Both Norris and Piastri ran Mediums too, but their lap times jumped by over a second compared to their Soft runs — a red flag for Saturday’s race.
What’s Next: Rain, Rubber, and Race Day
Free Practice 2 is scheduled for Thursday night, with rain forecast for Friday. That could turn qualifying into chaos — or opportunity. Teams now have data on how tires behave as the track evolves, but the real test will come when moisture hits the concrete. The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix itself is set for Saturday, November 22, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, broadcast live on ESPN. The circuit, now in its third year, has become one of F1’s most visually stunning — and technically demanding — events.
Historically, the winner of FP1 hasn’t always won the race. But in Las Vegas, the team that adapts fastest to evolving track conditions usually takes the checkered flag. Last year, George Russell won after starting fourth. In 2023, Verstappen took pole and won — but only after a late safety car. This year? It feels like Ferrari is building momentum. And if they can keep their tires alive on Sunday night, they might just be the ones celebrating under the lights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did McLaren struggle so badly in FP1?
McLaren’s issues centered on rear-end instability, particularly through Turns 12 and 14, where both Norris and Piastri ran wide multiple times. Their Medium tire degradation was significantly worse than Ferrari’s — over a full second slower per lap — suggesting a setup mismatch with the evolving Las Vegas surface. Engineers are reportedly re-evaluating rear wing and suspension geometry before FP2.
Is Leclerc’s time a true indicator of Ferrari’s race pace?
Yes. Unlike many teams who focused on single-lap qualifying sims, Ferrari ran consistent long runs on Medium tires in the final 20 minutes. Leclerc’s 1:35.1s range on Mediums was just 0.3 seconds slower than his Soft lap — a sign of excellent tire management. That’s rare on street circuits, and suggests Ferrari has cracked the code for Las Vegas.
What’s the significance of Albon’s second-place finish?
For Williams, it’s a massive morale boost. Albon’s performance was the team’s best in a street circuit session since Monaco 2023. His ability to extract grip from a slippery surface, combined with a clean, consistent lap, shows the FW47 is finally closing the gap to the midfield. If this carries into qualifying, Williams could be in contention for a top-six finish — their best result since 2022.
How does this session compare to last year’s FP1?
Last year, George Russell set the pace in FP1 with a 1:35.281 — nearly 0.5 seconds slower than Leclerc’s 2025 time. The track is clearly faster now, thanks to more rubber laid down in previous years and improved asphalt composition. Also, last year’s session had no major incidents; this year saw three spins and two wall contacts. That suggests the circuit is now more demanding — and more unpredictable.
Could rain change the race outcome?
Absolutely. Rain is forecast for Friday night, which could wipe out track evolution and reset tire behavior. Teams that struggled in dry conditions — like McLaren — might find a lifeline. But Ferrari, with their superior tire management and Leclerc’s wet-weather skill, could dominate. A wet race in Las Vegas would be chaotic, dramatic, and possibly historic — especially if Verstappen’s Red Bull loses its edge.
Who are the top contenders for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix win?
Based on FP1, Ferrari and Williams look strongest. Leclerc is the favorite, but Albon’s pace makes him a dark horse. Verstappen remains dangerous if Red Bull can fix their rear-end balance. Mercedes is close, but inconsistent. McLaren and Alpine are behind. If the race is dry, expect a Ferrari vs. Red Bull battle. If it rains? All bets are off — but Leclerc’s name should still be near the top.
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