Teams Reflect on Friday Practice at Circuit of the Americas

After a scorching Friday at the Circuit of the Americas, the paddock was abuzz with comments from drivers and team principals as they reflected on the practice session that set the tone for the weekend. The 5‑hour session, held in the early evening, saw Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc battling for the fastest lap, with Hamilton edging Leclerc by a mere 0.014 seconds to claim the top spot.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton praised the team’s setup, saying, "We were very confident in the tyre strategy and the car’s balance. The data shows we are on the right track for Saturday and Sunday." Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc noted the importance of the high‑downforce configuration, adding, "The car feels very stable in the corners, but we need to fine‑tune the front end for the long straights." McLaren’s Lando Norris highlighted the team’s progress, stating, "We’ve seen a noticeable improvement in the rear grip. The team is optimistic about the weekend."

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who ran a strong lap in the final hour, emphasized the role of the new aerodynamic tweaks, saying, "The changes have given us more confidence on the straights. We’re looking forward to testing the new setup on the track." Alpine’s Fernando Alonso, who had a slower session, focused on tyre management, noting, "We’re still working on how to keep the tyres in the optimal window. Patience will be key."

For Indian fans, the United States Grand Prix will be streamed live on FanCode, with the Saturday qualifying session and Sunday race available from 5:00 PM IST. The event will also be broadcast on Star Sports 1 and 2, offering multiple commentary options. The COTA track, known for its challenging elevation changes and long straight, promises an exciting race that could see the top teams battling for the podium.

Source: Formula1.com