Carlos Sainz Jr. Tops Thrilling US Grand Prix FP1 at COTA, Giovinazzi Incident Causes Red Flag

The much-anticipated 2022 United States Grand Prix weekend roared to life with an eventful Free Practice 1 (FP1) session at the iconic Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas. Amidst bright sunshine and warm conditions, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. delivered a standout performance, setting the quickest lap time. However, the session was not without its drama, as a significant crash involving Antonio Giovinazzi brought out the red flags, temporarily halting proceedings and adding an unexpected twist to the opening hour of track action.

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Sainz Sets the Pace: Ferrari’s Strong Start at COTA

From the moment the green light signaled the start of FP1, drivers wasted no time in attacking the challenging 5.513-kilometer Circuit of the Americas. Known for its unique layout featuring a steep uphill run to Turn 1, a series of high-speed esses, and technical slow corners, COTA demands precision and confidence from both car and driver. It was Carlos Sainz Jr. who ultimately mastered these demands, demonstrating Ferrari’s early strength.

The Spanish driver put together a superb lap, clocking in at 1’36.857. This impressive benchmark placed the Ferrari F1-75 a full quarter of a second ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen in his Red Bull Racing RB18. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, secured the third-fastest time, approximately half a second slower than Sainz. These early timings suggested a tightly contested battle at the front, with Ferrari showcasing strong one-lap pace right out of the gate.

The warm weather ensured that the track evolved rapidly, with grip levels increasing as more rubber was laid down. This dynamic environment meant drivers were constantly pushing the limits, making for an exciting hour of continuous improvement in lap times.

A Glimpse into the Future: Five Drivers Make FP1 Appearances

The Free Practice 1 session at the United States Grand Prix served as a crucial platform for five non-regular drivers, ranging from promising rookies to experienced hands, to get behind the wheel of Formula 1 machinery. This initiative, designed to provide valuable track time for young talent and fulfill specific team obligations, added an intriguing dimension to the session.

Logan Sargeant: A local favorite, American Formula 2 driver Logan Sargeant, took over Nicholas Latifi’s Williams FW44. His participation was met with enthusiasm from the home crowd, marking a significant step in his journey towards a potential full-time F1 seat. Sargeant completed a solid number of laps, gaining invaluable experience on a Grand Prix weekend.
Theo Pourchaire: Another rising star from Formula 2, Theo Pourchaire, was given the opportunity to drive Valtteri Bottas’s Alfa Romeo C42. Pourchaire’s outing underscored his potential and provided him with crucial data and understanding of an F1 car’s behavior on a challenging circuit.
Robert Shwartzman: Ferrari’s test and reserve driver, Robert Shwartzman, stepped into Charles Leclerc’s F1-75. Shwartzman’s session was particularly vital for Ferrari, offering an extra pair of hands to test car setups and gather vital data, especially on a track with unique characteristics like COTA.
Alex Palou: In a highly anticipated debut, the reigning 2021 IndyCar champion, Alex Palou, took the wheel of Daniel Ricciardo’s McLaren MCL36. Palou’s transition from IndyCar to F1 was a major talking point, and he used the session to acclimatize to the different demands of a modern Formula 1 car.
Antonio Giovinazzi: Former Alfa Romeo F1 racer, Antonio Giovinazzi, was the fifth additional driver, returning to a Haas VF-22. His experience was expected to be beneficial for the American team, but his session was unfortunately cut short by an incident.

Each of these drivers brought a unique objective to the session, whether it was proving their mettle, collecting data, or simply experiencing the pinnacle of motorsport. Their presence contributed to a diverse and dynamic FP1 session.

Giovinazzi’s Unfortunate Incident Causes Red Flag

The session experienced its most dramatic moment approximately 20 minutes in, when Antonio Giovinazzi suffered a significant crash. On only his fourth lap, the Italian driver lost control of his Haas VF-22 at Turn 6, a fast left-hander. The car spun and made heavy contact with the barriers, resulting in considerable damage to the front wing and sidepod. His teammate, Kevin Magnussen, could only watch as Giovinazzi’s session came to an abrupt and premature end.

The incident immediately triggered a red flag, suspending the session to allow marshals to safely recover the damaged Haas and clear any debris from the track. While Giovinazzi managed to slowly bring his car back to the pit lane, subsequent inspections revealed critical clutch damage, making it impossible for him to continue. This unfortunate early exit not only denied Giovinazzi more valuable seat time but also limited the data Haas could collect during a crucial practice session.

Post-Red Flag Resurgence: Verstappen and Hamilton Push On

Once the track was clear and the red flag period concluded, the session resumed with renewed urgency. Drivers wasted no time in heading back out, eager to make up for lost time and push the limits. Max Verstappen quickly stamped his authority, setting an impressive 1’38.272 on soft tyres. He initially held a half-second advantage over the Alpine cars of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso, who were running on medium compounds, highlighting Red Bull’s immediate pace.

Verstappen continued to refine his lap times, improving to a 1’37.462. His teammate, Sergio Perez, also found pace, slotting into second place, albeit eight-tenths slower than the Dutchman. The constantly improving track conditions, coupled with the warm Texas sunshine, meant that lap times were dropping consistently across the board, setting the stage for a tight battle at the top.

The competitive nature of the session was further underscored when Lance Stroll of Aston Martin briefly leaped to the top of the standings with a 1’37.460. However, his time at the summit was fleeting, as Lewis Hamilton promptly bettered it by a tenth of a second in his Mercedes W13. It was then that Carlos Sainz Jr. truly unleashed his potential, delivering his fastest lap on soft tyres, a scorching effort that put him nearly half a second clear of Hamilton and solidified his dominant position.

The Final Moments and Full FP1 Classification

As the final 10 minutes of Free Practice 1 approached, the Circuit of the Americas became a hive of activity. All 19 remaining cars flooded the track, each driver pushing to improve their times or gather critical data. Max Verstappen, demonstrating Red Bull’s consistent threat, made a final push on soft tyres to secure second position. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel had a heart-stopping moment, experiencing a significant oversteer snap through the left-hand kink of Turn 7, a clear indication of the high-risk, high-reward nature of the final few minutes.

Robert Shwartzman, in his Ferrari, was on course for what would have been his personal best lap of the session. However, his run was compromised when he encountered Max Verstappen’s Red Bull at the challenging Andretti corner towards the end of his lap, forcing him to back out and lose a valuable opportunity for a higher placement.

Despite the late flurry of activity, no further changes occurred at the very top of the leaderboard. Carlos Sainz Jr.’s phenomenal lap remained unchallenged as the chequered flag waved, confirming him as the fastest driver in Free Practice 1. Max Verstappen finished a strong second, with Lewis Hamilton completing the top three. Lance Stroll’s impressive showing placed him fourth, followed by Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso, who both demonstrated solid form for their respective teams.

George Russell secured seventh place in the second Mercedes, indicating promising underlying pace for the Silver Arrows. Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and Sebastian Vettel rounded out a competitive top ten, highlighting the tightly contested nature of the midfield. Among the special practice drivers, Robert Shwartzman was the standout performer, placing 16th overall despite his interrupted final run. He finished ahead of Alex Palou (17th), Theo Pourchaire (18th), and Logan Sargeant (19th), all of whom successfully completed their F1 debuts in a Grand Prix weekend. Antonio Giovinazzi, due to his early crash, ended the session in 20th.

2022 United States Grand Prix Free Practice 1 Official Results

Position	Number	Driver	Team	Model	Time	Gap	Laps
1	55	Carlos Sainz Jnr	Ferrari	F1-75	1’36.857		18
2	1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	RB18	1’37.081	0.224	14
3	44	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	W13	1’37.332	0.475	19
4	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin-Mercedes	AMR22	1’37.460	0.603	23
5	11	Sergio Perez	Red Bull	RB18	1’37.515	0.658	18
6	14	Fernando Alonso	Alpine-Renault	A522	1’37.713	0.856	24
7	63	George Russell	Mercedes	W13	1’37.802	0.945	23
8	10	Pierre Gasly	AlphaTauri-Red Bull	AT03	1’37.810	0.953	23
9	4	Lando Norris	McLaren-Mercedes	MCL36	1’37.856	0.999	22
10	5	Sebastian Vettel	Aston Martin-Mercedes	AMR22	1’38.041	1.184	24
11	31	Esteban Ocon	Alpine-Renault	A522	1’38.102	1.245	23
12	24	Zhou Guanyu	Alfa Romeo-Ferrari	C42	1’38.276	1.419	20
13	23	Alexander Albon	Williams-Mercedes	FW44	1’38.422	1.565	20
14	22	Yuki Tsunoda	AlphaTauri-Red Bull	AT03	1’38.898	2.041	22
15	47	Mick Schumacher	Haas-Ferrari	VF-22	1’38.922	2.065	20
16	39	Robert Shwartzman	Ferrari	F1-75	1’38.951	2.094	20
17	28	Alex Palou	McLaren-Mercedes	MCL36	1’39.911	3.054	21
18	98	Theo Pourchaire	Alfa Romeo-Ferrari	C42	1’40.175	3.318	19
19	45	Logan Sargeant	Williams-Mercedes	FW44	1’40.325	3.468	22
20	99	Antonio Giovinazzi	Haas-Ferrari	VF-22	1’43.063	6.206	4

Looking Ahead: Implications for the US Grand Prix Weekend

Carlos Sainz Jr.’s dominant performance in Free Practice 1 at the 2022 United States Grand Prix provides a significant boost for Ferrari. While it is just the first session and teams often run varied programs, fuel loads, and tire compounds, Sainz’s margin over his closest rivals is certainly an encouraging sign. It suggests that Ferrari has arrived at COTA with a strong baseline setup, allowing them to extract immediate performance from the F1-75 on a track that demands a comprehensive package.

Red Bull Racing, with Max Verstappen securing a solid second place, remains the team to beat. Their consistent pace across different conditions indicates they will be fierce contenders for pole position and the race win. Mercedes also demonstrated promising flashes, particularly with Lewis Hamilton in third, suggesting they might be closer to the front than initially anticipated. Both teams will be meticulously analyzing their data to fine-tune their cars and unlock further performance as the weekend progresses.

The midfield battle appears as intense as ever, with Aston Martin, Alpine, McLaren, and AlphaTauri all showing competitive times within close proximity. Lance Stroll’s brief stint at the top of the leaderboard was a particular highlight for Aston Martin, underscoring the potential for surprises throughout the weekend. The unfortunate incident involving Antonio Giovinazzi serves as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Formula 1, emphasizing the razor-thin margins and high risks involved on a demanding circuit like COTA. Teams will now use the comprehensive data gathered from this initial session to refine their strategies for Free Practice 2, where long-run pace and race simulations will take center stage.

The stage is undoubtedly set for an exhilarating continuation of the United States Grand Prix weekend. Fans can anticipate more intense action, strategic battles, and thrilling performances as teams and drivers push to maximize their potential ahead of Saturday’s crucial qualifying session and Sunday’s main event.

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Sainz Tops FP1, Giovinazzi Crashes Haas