On Sky Sport F1, Ivan Capelli analyzed Max Verstappen’s free practice sessions at the Las Vegas GP, offering a clear tactical perspective. The former driver highlighted how Red Bull chose a specific approach: focusing on race pace rather than a single-lap time. According to him, the Milton Keynes team aims to leverage straight-line speed and overtaking ability, two crucial weapons on a track that will see grip levels change rapidly throughout the weekend.
In FP1, Max Verstappen demonstrated rhythm and confidence from the first minutes. Despite finishing fourth, +0.307 from Charles Leclerc, the three-time world champion put together a clean and consistent session. Ivan Capelli pointed out an important technical detail: “Red Bull seems close to the balance we saw at Monza. Very low downforce wings can provide a huge advantage on these endless straights.” The dirty, low-grip track surprised many drivers, but Verstappen managed the conditions well, focusing especially on braking stability and traction.
FP2: A more complex session
The second free practice session proved more challenging. FP2 was interrupted twice by red flags due to a raised drain cover at Turn 17, an issue previously noted in past editions of the Grand Prix. In the end, Max Verstappen’s best time was 1:33.602, +0.503, placing him ninth in the session. Ivan Capelli highlighted that Red Bull’s decision not to push for a flying lap on the soft tires was intentional, aiming to avoid risk and maintain solid race pace. This strategy could prove decisive for a comeback, especially on tracks like Las Vegas where tire degradation and management play a key role.
Ivan Capelli added: “Max remained competitive even when he returned on the medium tires. This choice is not random. If you have a car capable of overtaking, on a weekend where the racing line will evolve a lot, it can be a huge weapon. If you get held up in traffic, you can always fight back.”
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