Lewis Hamilton topped an eventful first practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, leading a Mercedes 1-2 finish ahead of teammate George Russell in challenging track conditions.

The Las Vegas Strip Circuit presented extremely low-grip conditions, with dust covering significant portions of the track, particularly along Las Vegas Boulevard. Cool evening temperatures around 60°F further complicated driving conditions.

Despite numerous lock-ups and minor mistakes, particularly at the final chicane, the session proceeded without any red flags - a marked improvement from last year's canceled first practice due to safety concerns.

Hamilton set the fastest time of 1m35.001s, beating Russell by 0.396s. This time was notably 0.264s quicker than the best Thursday practice time from 2023, demonstrating significant track evolution throughout the session.

The top five finishers were:

• Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) - 1m35.001s
• George Russell (Mercedes) +0.396s
• Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.953s
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +1.006s
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +1.037s

Notable incidents included Verstappen reporting steering wheel connectivity issues and Piastri experiencing electrical problems that temporarily kept his car running. Valtteri Bottas received a five-place grid penalty for the grand prix after installing a new energy store.

The session demonstrated significant improvement in track conditions as more rubber was laid down, with drivers reporting initial "wet-like" conditions evolving into more manageable grip levels by the session's end.

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