CHARLES LECLERC LEADS UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX PRACTICE

Charles Leclerc led both Friday practice sessions for the United States Grand Prix in Austin. His fastest lap in the second session put the Ferrari driver 0.042 seconds ahead of Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Red Bull's Max Verstappen took third, 0.189 seconds behind Leclerc, while Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, 0.615 seconds off the lead. Mercedes' George Russell placed fifth ahead of Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. Russell and Leclerc narrowly avoided a collision early in the second session.

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished seventh and eighth, followed by Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and Haas driver Ollie Bearman. Ferrari brought an aerodynamic update to Austin that included a new floor and reshaped bodywork. “It felt good but it is not the gain I have seen or heard about,” Leclerc said. Verstappen averaged a marginally quicker pace than Leclerc on longer runs, when both used soft tyres. Hamilton ran slower than Leclerc on short and long runs, while Russell did not complete a representative soft-tyre lap.

Antonelli can win his first Formula 1 world title on Sunday if he wins the race, Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton finishes fifth or lower. The Grand Prix takes place from 23 to 25 October. Cadillac's Sergio Perez returned for second practice after Colton Herta took his place in the first session. Perez finished 21st, behind Cadillac team-mate Valtteri Bottas in 19th and Williams driver Carlos Sainz in 20th; Williams' Alex Albon placed 22nd.