While in the Austin paddock the scenario is becoming more and more similar to that of a fairy tale Captain America Civil War because of the scandal Red Bull-Budget Cap the track is once again a great protagonist with the FP1s. He set the best time on the American track Carlos Sainz followed by MaxVerstappen, undisputed leader of this world championship, fresh from the title world got to Suzukain utter confusion. Last step of the podium occupied by Lewis Hamilton, just two tenths behind Red Bull with the Mercedes W13 updated in search of the first victory of the season.
A rather excited job given that the 2-minute FP90 will be directed by Pirelli for tests on the 2023 specifications. With the exception of the regular drivers who didn't ride in FP1 and who will have around 35 minutes to test the car according to the Grand Prix in FP2. In this session Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes showed off as absolute protagonists, with Sainz using the first part to work on the flying lap, closing in the final with a program with more fuel load for a more or less complete job.
Just Sainz can be the positive surprise of the weekend given that he will have free rein on Sunday due to some penalties that will outline the picture of the starting grid. The other Ferrari, exceptionally in the hands of a non-registered driver, qualifies as the best of the "others" entrusted to young drivers. The feedback from Aston Martin was also good, finishing with Stroll in fourth position and Vettel in tenth.
Many new faces, or almost
In the star-spangled setting, there are many riders who ended up in the spotlight during FP1. Emerging stars, one step away from their F1 debut or one step away from coming back. In the scoreboard they appear well 5 names of non-starting drivers, due to the two free practice sessions that each team must necessarily reserve for rookies in the 2022 season. The fact that there are so many simultaneously is mainly dictated by the fact that there are very few race weekends left.
In particular, the following took to the track: Robert Schwartzman, in the Ferrari F1-75 on loan from Charles Leclerc; Logan sargeant on the Williams; the Indy driver alex palou aboard Ricciardo's McLaren; Theo Pourchaire in the Alfa Romeo house and the only outsider of this nice poker, that is Antonio Giovinazzi, author of a dramatic start to the session after hitting the barriers. The impact was not strong but rather the stresses on the clutch to free itself from the barriers, which forced the Italian driver to retire early with just a few crumbs.
Giovinazzi has already had the opportunity to do a free practice session at Monza, again with the American team who perhaps wanted to put a little pressure on Mick Schumacher by allocating two sessions in addition to those to the young rookies, to Antonio. There are currently only two free seats: the one at home Haas and in the Williams house, who has decided to end his short but intense relationship with Nicholas latifi from 2023.
The first penalties arrive
Another series of penalties is foreseen for Austin and the first official clues arrive during FP1. Sergio Perez and Zhou Guanyu will have to serve a 5-place penalty for replacing the ICE. A communication is also expected regarding Fernando Alonso e Charles Leclerc, who would have to mount unit number 6 on his F1-75, with the old specification, incurring one or more penalties.
