F1. Double for Mercedes in the first free practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Mercedes, with its drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, mastered the first free practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Thursday evening, 22^e round (out of 24) of the Formula 1 season.

As night fell and under particularly cool temperatures (it was barely 14 degrees), Lando Norris (McLaren), second in the world championship behind Dutchman Max Verstappen, took the third best time.

Gasly 9^eOcon 14^e

Behind this 100% British Top 3, Monegasque Charles Leclerc finished fourth at the wheel of his Ferrari, ahead of Verstappen (Red Bull), fifth, and his teammate in the ranks of the Scuderia, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz, sixth.

Among the French, Pierre Gasly achieved the 9^e best time, his teammate at Alpine Esteban Ocon on the 14th^e.

READ ALSO. Controversies, layout, particularities… Everything you need to know about the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit

A second free practice session is scheduled for Thursday evening from 10 p.m. local (Friday 7 a.m. Paris time). The third and final session will take place on Friday at 6:30 p.m. (Saturday at 3:30 a.m.) before qualifying scheduled for 10 p.m. (Saturday 7 a.m.).

The Grand Prix will take place not on Sunday as usual but on Saturday and at night, with a start at 10 p.m. (7 a.m. Sunday Paris time) in the heart of the famous Strip where Max Verstappen has a first chance to take his fourth consecutive title in the premier category of motorsport.

The results

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1’35’’001 (26 tours)

2. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 1’35’’397 (29)

3. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 1’35’’954 (27)

4. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1'36''007 (27)

5. Max Verstappen PBS/Red Bull) 1’36’’038 (25)

6. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) 1'36''218 (26)

7. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1’36’’262 (25)

8. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) 1'36''451 (26)

9. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1’36’’478 (24)

10. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Red Bull) 1’36’’536 (25)

11. Kevin Magnussen (DAN/Haas-Ferrari) 1'36'811 (24)

12. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1’36’’817 (25)

13. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1'36''948 (26)

14. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1'37''152 (25)

15. Nico Hülkenberg (ALL/Haas-Ferrari) 1'37''200 (24)

16. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1'37''765 (25)

17. Franco Colapinto (ARG/Williams-Mercedes) 1'38''025 (28)

18. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber-Ferrari) 1’38’’350 (23)

19. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1’38’’574 (23)

20. Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls-Red Bull) 1’38’’730 (28)