Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025: pre-qualifying
Due to the hellishly early 4am (UK) start times this weekend, the pre-qualifying and pre-race rambles are both going to be early.
First practice had the unexpected top three of Leclerc, Albon, and Tsunoda, who was one place and less than half a tenth ahead of Verstappen. Sainz, Norris, and Hadjar followed, with Piastri, Russell, and Antonelli bringing up the rear of the top 10. While intriguing I suspect these times may be less than representative.
Second practice was back to Brazil, with Norris quickest, but under a tenth ahead of Antonelli. Leclerc stayed fast in third, one place ahead of Hulkenberg. Right behind the Hulk were the racing Bulls pair of Hadjar and Lawson, with Russell a little further back. Albon, Verstappen, and Hamilton finished off the upper half of the time sheet. Piastri was 14th.
I was a bit surprised Antonelli was out at 9, 9.5 boosted, so I’ve backed him each way for qualifying. He was second quickest and very close behind Norris in FP2 and while the Mercedes were behind in FP1 his pace was practically identically to Russell, who has much shorter odds. Off the back of a near perfect (unless you’re a Leclerc/Piastri fan) Brazilian outing, I think we might be looking at another Antonelli appearance on the front row.
Tend not to offer qualifying tips but his odds did surprise me. As ever, do at your own risk. I usually prefer seeing FP3 but the timing means that’s not going to happen.
Morris Dancer
First practice had the unexpected top three of Leclerc, Albon, and Tsunoda, who was one place and less than half a tenth ahead of Verstappen. Sainz, Norris, and Hadjar followed, with Piastri, Russell, and Antonelli bringing up the rear of the top 10. While intriguing I suspect these times may be less than representative.
Second practice was back to Brazil, with Norris quickest, but under a tenth ahead of Antonelli. Leclerc stayed fast in third, one place ahead of Hulkenberg. Right behind the Hulk were the racing Bulls pair of Hadjar and Lawson, with Russell a little further back. Albon, Verstappen, and Hamilton finished off the upper half of the time sheet. Piastri was 14th.
I was a bit surprised Antonelli was out at 9, 9.5 boosted, so I’ve backed him each way for qualifying. He was second quickest and very close behind Norris in FP2 and while the Mercedes were behind in FP1 his pace was practically identically to Russell, who has much shorter odds. Off the back of a near perfect (unless you’re a Leclerc/Piastri fan) Brazilian outing, I think we might be looking at another Antonelli appearance on the front row.
Tend not to offer qualifying tips but his odds did surprise me. As ever, do at your own risk. I usually prefer seeing FP3 but the timing means that’s not going to happen.
Morris Dancer
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