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Hamilton Shines, Verstappen Struggles in Dramatic Opening Day of the Las Vegas GP

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
December 4, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Hamilton Shines, Verstappen Struggles in Dramatic Opening Day of the Las Vegas GP

Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States - November 21, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during practice REUTERS/Mike Blake

Lewis Hamilton proved that he’s still the king of the Strip after an electrifying first day of action at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver topped the timesheets in FP2, edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris and teammate George Russell, while championship leader Max Verstappen endured one of his toughest Fridays this season.


Hamilton’s Redemption Tour

Hamilton, who is preparing for his highly anticipated move to Ferrari in 2025, showed why he’s still a force to be reckoned with. Despite brushing the wall with his rear-left tire, the 39-year-old delivered a lap that was just 0.011 seconds quicker than Norris. Hamilton’s aggressive approach under the lights reflects a driver with something to prove, especially after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s recent comments about his declining form.

“Lewis is pushing to the limit,” remarked an engineer from Mercedes. “He knows this could be one of his last chances to secure a win with the team, and he’s driving like it.”


Red Bull’s Desert Nightmare

For Max Verstappen and Red Bull, the evening was a stark contrast. The RB20, dominant on most circuits this year, floundered in the chilly, low-grip conditions of Las Vegas. Verstappen struggled for pace throughout FP2, finding himself two seconds off the pace and languishing near the bottom of the timesheets alongside teammate Sergio Perez.

The lack of high-speed corners and the challenges of tire warm-up compounded Red Bull’s woes, forcing Verstappen to abandon multiple laps. “We’re completely off the pace,” Verstappen admitted, visibly frustrated. “We need a drastic change overnight.”

With a 62-point lead in the championship, Verstappen can afford a poor weekend, but his struggles highlight the unpredictability of F1’s newest circuit.


Ferrari: A Mystery in the Making

Ferrari, tipped as pre-race favorites due to their strong performance in Las Vegas last year, had a quieter day than expected. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc settled for fourth and fifth in FP2, but the Scuderia might be holding back. Leclerc nearly found the barriers on one of his laps, a reminder of the track’s tricky braking zones in the cool desert air.

“We know we have the pace,” Leclerc said confidently. “It’s about getting everything right in qualifying.”


McLaren Pushes Hard

McLaren continued to impress, with Lando Norris splitting the Mercedes duo in FP2. Norris has consistently been Verstappen’s closest rival this season and seems poised to capitalize on Red Bull’s struggles. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri delivered solid long-run pace, reinforcing McLaren’s strong position in the constructors’ championship battle against Ferrari.


Drama Elsewhere: Albon’s Misery, Alonso’s Adjustments

It was another tough day for Williams as Alex Albon endured technical setbacks. After missing most of the session due to engine issues, his car broke down again, bringing out the red flags and cutting his running short.

For Fernando Alonso, porpoising returned to haunt him. The Aston Martin driver demanded setup changes after reporting severe bouncing similar to what caused him pain in Brazil. “We need to fix this now,” Alonso told his team, determined to avoid another physically taxing weekend.


What’s Next?

As the F1 grid prepares for qualifying, the big questions remain: Can Red Bull salvage their weekend? Will Hamilton carry his Friday form into the race? And is Ferrari hiding their true pace? One thing is certain: under the dazzling lights of the Las Vegas Strip, the stakes have never been higher.

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