Lando Norris leads FP1 at COTA ahead of Sprint Qualifying

Lando Norris laid down an early marker at the Circuit of The Americas, topping the only practice session of the United States Grand Prix Sprint weekend with a 1:33.294 — a time less than a second shy of last year’s pole. The McLaren driver finished 0.255s clear of Nico Hulkenberg’s Kick Sauber and 0.279s ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri, setting the stage for a tense intra-team battle in Sprint Qualifying later today.

FP1 Recap: McLaren on Top, Drama in the Midfield

The one-hour session was run in sweltering Texas heat, with track temperatures peaking at 45°C. Teams balanced long-run data gathering with the need to complete qualifying simulations, knowing that any lost time would be costly in a Sprint weekend format.

McLaren opted for soft tyres in their late runs, with Norris overcoming a slower middle sector to secure P1. Hulkenberg impressed with the fastest second sector of the session, edging Piastri for P2. Fernando Alonso, despite starting on hards and Aston Martin’s low expectations for COTA, delivered a sharp lap to take fourth ahead of Max Verstappen.

George Russell was the quickest medium-shod runner in seventh, underlining Mercedes’ focus on tyre strategy for Sprint Qualifying, where mediums are mandatory in SQ1 and SQ2.

Reliability Woes for Ferrari and Williams

Carlos Sainz’s session ended early with a suspected gearbox issue, while Charles Leclerc climbed out of his Ferrari with five minutes remaining after reporting an oil smell and shifting problems. Neither managed a representative lap on soft tyres, leaving them on the back foot for qualifying. Lewis Hamilton also reported a “slippery” throttle pedal, though he still managed P8.

Esteban Ocon suffered a brake issue and a trip through the gravel, while several rookies — including Gabriel Bortoleto — used the session to acclimatise to the track.

Red Flag and Track Incidents

A brief red flag was triggered by debris at Turn 19, likely from Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin after running wide over the kerbs. Isack Hadjar and Hamilton also had off-track moments as grip remained inconsistent in the heat.

Key Performance Insights

Sector Standouts

• Sector 1: Alonso was quickest, highlighting Aston Martin’s strong turn-in and mechanical grip.
• Sector 2: Hulkenberg led the way, showing Kick Sauber’s efficiency in medium-speed corners.
• Sector 3: Norris topped the final sector, crucial for maximising lap time in qualifying runs.

Speed Trap

Kimi Antonelli, Alonso, and Albon shared top honours at 327 km/h, suggesting Mercedes and Aston Martin have strong straight-line performance — potentially useful for overtaking in the Sprint.

What It Means for Sprint Qualifying

McLaren’s pace advantage is clear, but Verstappen’s strength in medium-speed corners could be decisive. Hulkenberg’s form hints at a potential surprise in SQ3, while Ferrari’s lack of soft tyre data could compromise their grid positions.

With only one practice session, the margin for error is minimal. The heat will continue to be a factor, influencing tyre degradation and car balance. Expect strategic gambles in Sprint Qualifying, especially from teams needing to recover from FP1 setbacks.

FP1 Top 10

1. Lando Norris – McLaren – 1:33.294 (Soft)
2. Nico Hulkenberg – Kick Sauber – +0.255 (Soft)
3. Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.279 (Soft)
4. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin – +0.345 (Hard)
5. Max Verstappen – Red Bull – +0.354 (Soft)
6. Alexander Albon – Williams – +0.626 (Soft)
7. George Russell – Mercedes – +0.637 (Medium)
8. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – +0.671 (Medium)
9. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls – +0.861 (Medium)
10. Oliver Bearman – Haas – +1.039 (Soft)

Final Analysis

McLaren’s FP1 dominance sets up a tantalising Sprint Qualifying battle, with Norris and Piastri’s title fight intensifying. Verstappen remains a threat, while Hulkenberg’s pace could disrupt the established order. Ferrari and Williams face an uphill climb after technical issues, and the extreme heat will test both drivers and machinery.

Sprint Qualifying at COTA promises to be fast, frantic, and unpredictable — exactly what a championship fight needs at this stage of the season.