Lewis Hamilton topped final practice from Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix, setting up a tantalising qualifying in Austin. Hamilton was 0.168s quicker than Verstappen as Ferrari and Red Bull look set to fight for pole position and victory for a second consecutive weekend. Charles Leclerc topped both of Friday's sessions and had set the quickest time in final practice by one tenth from Hamilton, only for it to be deleted due to track limits.
Track limits is set to be a major issue for the drivers in qualifying, which takes place at 10pm UK time later on Saturday due to the tarmac run-off areas. Leclerc still finished the session in third, ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli whose chances of becoming the youngest world champion look extremely difficult, given he must first win the Grand Prix to give himself an opportunity, and Mercedes are a tad off the pace. Antonelli was three tenths behind Hamilton's pace-setting time with his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in fifth at nearly half a second down.
Mc Laren's Lando Norris was eighth but would have been in the top five had his best lap not been deleted for track limit, while Oscar Piastri was sixth and Audi's Nico Hulkenberg impressing in seventh. More to follow...
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing