Lawson quick in opening US Grand Prix practice, but best lap deleted

Liam Lawson has made a solid start to Formula One’s US Grand Prix at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, logging the 10th fastest time in the weekend’s opening practice session. 

Taking to the track on what Lawson describes as his favourite circuit on the Formula One calendar, the Kiwi showed impressive pace from the outset – notably on the hard tyres – on the same weekend Racing Bulls unveiled what will likely be the team’s final upgrade package of the year. 

Red Bull’s sister side have introduced four major new components to its VCARB03, with updates to the front and rear wings, floor and engine cover. 

Lawson’s best lap of 1m 37.309s was 1.207s off the fastest time of the first session (FP1), set by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. 

However, Lawson could have finished one place higher after he posted a lap of 1m 37.048s – only to see it deleted for exceeding track limits. 

Leclerc’s time saw him top the session by just 0.084s from Max Verstappen, with the four-time world champion out to make Austin his third grand prix victory in a row. 

On a weekend where he can seal this year’s title and become the youngest driver to be crowned Formula One champion, Kimi Antonelli was 0.481s off the pace to finish fifth. The 20-year-old can claim the title on Monday morning, provided he leads the championship by 125 points or more. 

Lawson’s Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad logged the ninth fastest time in FP1, 0.246s ahead of his teammate, on the same day it was confirmed he’ll take a grid penalty in Monday’s race for exceeding his number of internal combustion engines for the season. 

The Racing Bulls pair are the only two drivers on the grid yet to learn their futures, with neither Lawson nor Lindblad locked in to remain in Formula One in 2027. However, Herald sources have indicated that the pair will be retained beyond this year. 

The day’s second practice session begins at 10am. 

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.