F1: Leclerc tops 2023 tire test session at USGP

In a session that had little relevance to this weekend’s USGP at COTA because it was dedicated to testing 2023 Pirelli tires that were unmarked so the drivers had no idea what compound they were running, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc posted the fastest time of 1m36.810s.

Leclerc clocked a 1m 36.810s during an early stint on the 2022-spec medium tire, having been allowed to run his own program at the start of the session after sitting out FP1.

Behind Leclerc, Bottas and Ricciardo made use of the 2022-spec soft compound en route to P2 and P3 for Alfa Romeo and McLaren respectively, the pair finishing over seven tenths away from the #16 Ferrari.

With weather conditions hot and sunny at the Circuit of The Americas, it proved to be an ideal session for Pirelli to gather representative data on their work-in-progress compounds prior to a planned post-season test for the definitive versions in Abu Dhabi.

Alongside Leclerc and Ferrari, several other drivers and teams conducted bespoke programs for a portion of FP2 before focusing on the tire test, with McLaren, Alfa Romeo, Williams and Haas also given dispensation for running ‘rookie’ drivers in FP1.

FP1 pace-setter Carlos Sainz led the pack of drivers restricted to prescribed runs (which included set stint lengths and fuel loads) on the unmarked Pirelli tires, ending up around 1.5s adrift, with Mick Schumacher completing the top five for Haas.

Lando Norris took sixth in the other McLaren, narrowly avoiding the wall after a wild slide at the pit entry, followed by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

Practice 2 Results