The Las Vegas Strip roared back into life last night as the second free practice session of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix delivered electrifying action and eyebrows-raising performances under the luminous desert sky. Formula 1’s much-anticipated return to Sin City has already shown that unpredictable street circuits can rattle even the most seasoned drivers, but by FP2 the teams finally had the opportunity to stretch their legs after a chaotic, truncated opening session.
Ferrari stunned the paddock with blistering pace, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz locking out the top of the timesheets, dispelling Ferrari’s usual Friday struggles. Leclerc, razor-sharp from the outset, set a barnstorming lap of 1:35.265, leaving even his teammate Sainz trailing by two-tenths. The Scuderia appeared in perfect harmony with the freshly resurfaced asphalt, blending outright speed with reassuring stability through the fast, sweeping bends that line the iconic Strip.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Red Bull found themselves playing catch-up. Despite Max Verstappen’s ability to quickly adapt to new circuits, the Dutch phenom wrestled with setup woes and struggled to extract ultimate pace. Verstappen ended the session outside the top three, an uncommon sight in 2023. His engineers were seen busily pouring over the data, underlining the challenge that low temperatures and tricky grip levels present to the engineers and strategists alike on this unique urban venue.
Mercedes, aiming to close the gap to both Ferrari and Red Bull after a mixed season, showcased solid long-run pace. However, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell remained slightly off the one-lap pace, sparking discussions in the garage about tyre warmup struggles and optimal setup windows. Given the Las Vegas circuit’s high-speed straights and sudden deceleration zones, nailing the perfect balance between traction and low drag will be crucial for qualifying and race day.
Local fan-favourite Logan Sargeant gave the home crowd something to cheer for, pulling off a series of precise laps for Williams and briefly mixing with the midfield runners. Aston Martin, plagued by volatility in their performances throughout the year, again seemed to hover in the comfort zone, not bothering the frontrunners but extracting consistent lap times that bode well for possible points on Sunday.
One of the most talked-about incidents, however, was the tire drama that dominated the headlines following FP1. The opening minutes saw serious track surface issues lead to a lengthy delay, as a loose drain cover caused damage to Sainz’s car and forced the entire field back to the garages. This unexpected hiatus meant that FP2 was extended to 90 minutes—granting drivers invaluable extra track time but compressing each team’s run plans into a single, adrenaline-packed session as fans braved the chilly desert night.
Tyre degradation and cool asphalt temperatures continued to be a focal point. Several drivers reported difficulty in getting the Pirellis up to optimal working range, and those who pushed too hard early on often found their peak performance vanishing within a few laps. Race engineers now face the daunting task of balancing tyre longevity with outright speed—a tricky puzzle on a circuit that mixes tight technical complexes with lung-bursting flat-out sections.
With Saturday’s all-important qualifying looming, speculation is rife over whether Ferrari can translate their runaway practice pace into pole position, or if the ever-adaptable Verstappen and Red Bull will spring a late surge. The unique characteristics of Las Vegas, with its blend of glamour, jeopardy, and unpredictability, have already exceeded expectations. One thing’s certain: Formula 1’s neon-drenched weekend in Nevada is poised to deliver a spectacle that fans won’t soon forget.
