Sainz dominates the first free practice sessions and Palou enjoys his debut in Austin

MADRID, 21 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) was the fastest this Friday in the first free practice session of the United States Grand Prix, a round that marked the debut of the Spanish Alex Palou in the 'Grand Circus' with McLaren.

Sainz made a strong start to a Yankee event that he can take advantage of to savor the victory. The Madrilenian recognized in the previous one that the fight to improve his fifth position in the World Cup is not what motivates him, but to achieve some victory in the four remaining appointments of a season that he already has champion.

The Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) arrived with that vitola from Japan last week and was two tenths behind the 1:36.857 set by the Spaniard. In third place was the Englishman Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), already almost half a second behind a Sainz who can take advantage of the penalties for changes in the engine of direct rivals.

Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), second and third in the World Cup separated by a point, will have them, so a battle is coming up behind a Sainz who aspires to everything in COTA. British George Russell (Mercedes), fourth overall, finished the touchdown seventh.

On the other hand, the first free practice sessions in Austin were a historic batch with four F1 debutants, including the Spaniard Palou. The IndyCar champion in 2021 had already done tests with McLaren but on a track that he knows well came his debut in the World Championship, which he enjoyed and finished 17th.

"This car is crazy, I arrive too fast," said the Catalan to his engineer, after being warned by radio that he was braking too hard at turn 11. McLaren did not give the Spaniard the option of mounting a white tire, which I would have improved his time, and he did a long run with the medium.

In addition, Robert Shwartzman drove Charles Leclerc's Ferrari, Logan Sargeant sat in the seat of Nicholas Latifi's Williams, Theo Pourchaire drove Valtteri Bottas's Alfa Romeo and Antonio Giovinazzi, who caused an 8-minute red flag, returned behind the wheel. Haas by Kevin Magnussen.

The surprise was also the Aston Martin, with Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel, fourth and tenth. Spanish driver Fernando Alonso would surely have an eye on his new team as Alpine makes changes for this weekend, with a new background, alone in Esteban Ocon's car, unbeknownst to the double world champion.

The Spaniard explained it with a smile at the start of a weekend in which he will also be penalized for changing parts of the engine. Alonso finished this first round in a great sixth position, confident that he can improve for the weekend with this change and help Alpine to defend fourth place in the Constructors' World Championship.