In an unusual day of Friday practice, the Ferrari driver topped FP2 with a 1m36.810s having been granted use of the 2022 tyres during the session devoted to 2023 Pirelli tyre testing.
Leclerc, along with Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo, were each permitted short stints on the current compounds having sat out FP1 as part of the rookie driver runs for Robert Shwartzman at Ferrari, Theo Pourchaire at Alfa Romeo and Alex Palou at McLaren.
The trio duly topped the FP2 timesheet, ahead of Carlos Sainz who was quickest in first practice and the fastest of the test tyre-only runners.
Meanwhile, Sergio Perez and Zhou Guanyu will both serve grid penalties at the United States GP for engine changes on Friday.
But attention continues to focus to off the track, with Red Bull under the spotlight for its F1 cost cap breach relating to last year. Red Bull remains in negotiation with the FIA over an Accepted Breach Agreement in relation to the 2021 cost cap.
The FIA has also released its report into the Japanese GP crane incident and what changes will come in.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari F1-75
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
What time does qualifying start for the F1 United States Grand Prix?
Qualifying for the United States GP starts at 5pm local time (11pm BST), using the regular Q1, Q2 and Q3 knockout session format.
Date: Saturday 22nd October 2022
Start time: 5pm local time – 11pm BST
How can I watch Formula 1?
In the United Kingdom Formula 1 is broadcast live on Sky Sports, with highlights shown on Channel 4 several hours after the race has finished. Live streaming through NOW is also available in the UK.
Sky Sports F1, which broadcasts the F1 races, can be added as part of the Sky Sports channels which costs £20 a month for new customers. Sky Sports can also be accessed through NOW with a one-off day payment of £11.98p or a month membership of £33.99p per month.
How can I watch F1 United States GP qualifying?
In the United Kingdom every F1 practice, qualifying and race is broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, with United States GP qualifying coverage starting at 10:00pm BST on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.
- Channel: Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event
- Start time: 10:00pm BST 22nd October 2022
Autosport will be running a live text coverage of qualifying here.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB18
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
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