Charles Leclerc tops both Friday practice sessions at United States Grand Prix

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc posted the fastest times in Friday practice at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin for the United States Grand Prix. BBC Sport, Crash.net, and Autosport all report that the Monégasque driver topped both practice sessions, driving an upgraded Ferrari. Autosport notes that Leclerc set a session-best lap time of one minute and 35.291 seconds near the halfway mark of the second practice session. [1][2][3][4]

Leclerc finished ahead of Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the afternoon running. BBC Sport and Crash.net both report that Leclerc was 0.042 seconds quicker than the Italian driver in second practice. Yahoo Sports reported that Leclerc had led the opening session with a time of one minute and 36.052 seconds, placing 0.084 seconds clear of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, while Antonelli finished fifth in that earlier run. [1][2][3][4]

BBC Sport reports that Verstappen ranked third overall in practice, finishing 0.189 seconds behind Leclerc, while Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, 0.615 seconds off the pace. George Russell of Mercedes recorded the fifth-fastest time, ahead of Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. Autosport added that McLaren struggled for grip during the Friday running. [1][4]

Antonelli enters the race weekend with a mathematical chance to secure his first Formula One world title. BBC Sport and Crash.net both report that the 20-year-old Italian can seal the championship in Austin if he wins the race, provided his teammate George Russell finishes ninth or lower, according to Crash.net, or below eighth, according to BBC Sport, and Lewis Hamilton finishes below fourth place. [1][3]