Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc led Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli in Friday observe at the USA Grand Prix.
Leclerc, who topped each periods, was 0.042 seconds forward of the Italian, who has a mathematical likelihood of tying up his first world title this weekend.
Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen was third quickest, 0.189secs again, forward of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, though the seven-time champion was 0.615secs off the tempo.
Mercedes driver George Russell was fifth forward of Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, whose crew have launched the primary of three consecutive deliberate upgrades this weekend, was seventh quickest, though the world champion didn’t set a time on his qualifying simulation run on mushy tyres after making a mistake at Flip 16.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was eighth quickest, forward of Crimson Bull’s Isack Hadjar and Haas driver Oliver Bearman.
Antonelli will win the championship in Austin provided that he wins the race and Russell finishes under eighth and Hamilton under fourth.
