The Las Vegas GP is here. Fans are electrified. However, not all drivers are rejoicing. In the first practice session, Checo Pérez found himself in tenth place. Meanwhile, Mercedes took command of the track, but what does this mean for the upcoming race?
Lewis Hamilton clocked in fast, leading with a time of 1:35.001. His teammate, George Russell, shadowed him almost four-tenths behind. But what about the rest of the field? Max Verstappen managed fifth place, while Pérez struggled to find his footing. What went wrong for the talented Mexican driver?
Pérez completed 24 laps. He split this into two runs, but the result wasn’t ideal. The Las Vegas Strip presented challenges, particularly in grip. Drivers experienced difficulties due to dust accumulation on the asphalt. It’s a reminder that every venue has its quirks, right?
Red Bull opted for a different strategy. Both Checo and Max Verstappen started with soft tires, while opponents stuck with mediums. This choice was risky. Pérez wrung out 14 laps on the softer tires during the initial run. Did it pay off? We’re yet to see.
In the second stint, he returned to soft tires for 10 more laps. During this time, Pérez sought to improve his times with the RB20. But fluctuating grip levels made it tough. What’s going through Pérez’s mind? The pressure is palpable as he looks towards a podium finish this weekend.
Last year, he reached the podium in Las Vegas, finishing third. Yet he hasn’t seen that success since China earlier this season. Can he turn his luck around? There’s plenty at stake, especially with Verstappen potentially clinching the title here in North America.
As the race weekend unfolds, all eyes are on Pérez. Can he bounce back from this setback? Will he find the right rhythm as the stakes grow higher? The excitement builds, and answers are just around the corner.
