Charles Leclerc sets the fastest time in first practice (FP1) at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Multiple outlets report the result as Leclerc “pipping” Verstappen, with Ferrari appearing strong early in the weekend.
Several reports add that Ferrari is running an upgraded car, and that Leclerc’s pace signals early promise in that update. Autosport and Motorsport.com specify that Leclerc is just under a tenth faster than Verstappen. Other outlets keep the emphasis mainly on the top line timing order, describing Leclerc beating Verstappen without adding extra performance context.
Overall, the coverage is consistent: all sources highlighted Leclerc’s FP1 fastest-lap performance and Verstappen’s second-place time, framing the story around Ferrari’s early advantage and its potential to challenge Red Bull’s momentum.
