Verstappen struggles a lot during first training sessions in cold Las Vegas: ‘No grip at all’

Max Verstappen is still struggling a lot in Las Vegas. In the United States, the Dutchman can become Formula 1 champion for the fourth time this weekend, but in the first two free practice sessions it was mainly a matter of finding his footing on the track. Lewis Hamilton drove to the fastest time in the first two free practice sessions.

“I have no grip at all,” the Dutchman said quite quickly in the second training session, in which he clocked the 17th fastest time (1.35.834). That turned out to be the case, because Verstappen immediately shot from the cool and smooth track onto one of the run-off lanes during a slightly faster lap.

The lack of grip turned out to be a problem not only for the three-time world champion. Kevin Magnussen and Hamilton also took off in the first laps. The drivers were spared major problems.

Verstappen then stayed in the pits a little longer halfway through training. His team was clearly working on the car to see if it could possibly be a little faster.

But after he had driven one lap on the soft tire, the Dutchman appeared to have the same problems again: ‘No grip’, it sounded again over the on-board radio.

The world championship is at stake for Verstappen this weekend. If he finishes ahead of Lando Norris during Sunday’s race, or a maximum of one spot behind the Brit, then the title will be assured. But based on the training, Norris seems to have the better credentials.

Halfway through, the McLaren driver was the first driver to drive in the 1.33. Ultimately, Norris drove to the second fastest time in the second free practice.

For Verstappen, the first day in Vegas was not yet what it should have been, because during the first free practice the Dutchman already complained about ‘connection problems’ with his steering wheel. Like Norris, he also avoided a crash after a slip in Turn 14.

Despite this, the Red Bull Racing driver achieved a fifth fastest time (1.36.038), approximately one second slower than Hamilton, who set the fastest time with 1.35.001.

Norris, who recorded the third fastest time, was also almost a second slower than Hamilton and was close in time to 27-year-old Verstappen.

The weekend started less well for Valtteri Bottas (Sauber). He had to have his engine replaced again and as a result he will receive a five-place grid penalty for Sunday morning’s race.