In a thrilling conclusion to the qualifying session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, George Russell emerged victorious by clinching pole position in an intensely fought Q3, leaving reigning champion Max Verstappen to settle for a surprising fifth place, just ahead of his competitor Lando Norris.
Russell’s decisive moment came as he was the last driver to take to the track in Q3, delivering an impressive final lap time of 1m32.312s that propelled him past Carlos Sainz, who had initially held the provisional pole.
The British driver had earlier demonstrated his speed by leading the initial runs of the session with a solid time of 1m32.811s. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton faced turmoil as he abandoned his lap after losing control and running wide at Turn 14, cutting short what could have been a competitive effort.
As the following runs unfolded, Russell’s time faced fierce challenges; Charles Leclerc quickly moved ahead with a time of 1m32.783s, but Sainz then showcased his prowess by improving further, finding three tenths on his team-mate to momentarily claim the top spot.
However, Russell rose to the occasion, executing a brilliant final charge to secure pole position and gain a strategic advantage over Sainz for the race ahead.
With an outstanding performance, Pierre Gasly secured third on the grid, managing to split the Ferrari duo, marking a significant achievement for the Alpine team.
Meanwhile, Verstappen and Norris rounded out the third row of the grid, while Yuki Tsunoda outpaced Oscar Piastri to finish in seventh place. Nico Hulkenberg secured ninth, just 0.750s off Russell’s impressive lap time.
Despite completing a second lap, Hamilton could not set a representative time that stood; losing control at Turn 4 pushed him off-track, resulting in a lap-time deletion. His efforts left him languishing in 10th place, as his earlier Q2 time would have secured him a spot in the top three.
The conclusion of Q2 was marred by a heavy crash involving Franco Colapinto at the exit of Turn 16. Fortunately, most drivers had already completed their laps before the incident caused delays and a stoppage, ensuring the session’s progression was less impacted.
The clash saw the Argentine driver clip the barrier’s inside and careen violently into the opposite wall, leading to substantial damage to his Williams, significantly increasing the team’s repair costs.
While Esteban Ocon struggled to improve his times to break into the top 10, his team-mate Gasly capitalized on the final laps, astonishingly knocking Kevin Magnussen out in the process.
Zhou Guanyu made a rare appearance in Q2, achieving the 13th fastest time, while Colapinto’s accident relegated him to the 14th position. Unfortunately for Liam Lawson, his final attempt for a lap time ended prematurely as he returned to the pits, resulting in a disappointing 15th place finish.
Sergio Perez continued his disappointing streak, falling out of qualifying in Q1 due to a lack of grip in his Red Bull RB20, which saw him teeter toward elimination amidst a wave of late improvements from his competitors.
Due to his struggles, Perez ended up in 16th for Saturday’s race, just ahead of Fernando Alonso, as neither Aston Martin driver advanced from Q1; Lance Stroll also failed to progress after a mechanical failure during FP3 left his car needing repairs.
An unfortunate Alex Albon and Valtteri Bottas also met an early exit in Q1, with Bottas set to start from the back of the grid due to a grid penalty.
Photos from Las Vegas GP Practice & Qualifying
What strategies did George Russell employ to secure pole position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying?
**Interview with F1 Expert Mark Thompson Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Mark! The Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session delivered quite the spectacle. George Russell clinched pole position, eclipsing Carlos Sainz’s earlier effort. What stood out to you during that final Q3 battle?
**Mark Thompson:** Thank you! It was an electrifying conclusion indeed. Russell’s performance was remarkable, especially considering he was the last to go out on track. His final lap time of 1m32.312s was exceptional and showcased his speed under pressure. It’s a testament to both his driving skills and the team’s strategy to time their run perfectly at the end of the session.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned strategy. How crucial was it for Russell to execute his lap at the right moment, especially given the fierce competition from Sainz and Leclerc?
**Mark Thompson:** Absolutely critical. In qualifying, track conditions can change rapidly, and being the last car on track often provides an advantage with slightly improved grip. Russell capitalized perfectly, especially after Sainz temporarily took the lead from him. It was a thrilling display of competitive spirit and strategy.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of competition, Max Verstappen’s fifth place finish was a bit of a shocker for many fans. What do you think went wrong for him today?
**Mark Thompson:** Verstappen definitely had a surprising outing. His performance wasn’t on par with what we’re used to seeing from him this season. It seemed like he wasn’t able to find the same rhythm as other drivers, and perhaps he had a few moments of struggle that affected his final time. It’s a reminder that even the best can have off days, especially in such a competitive atmosphere.
**Interviewer:** And we can’t forget Lewis Hamilton, who, despite early promise, ended up in 10th after a tumultuous qualifying session. What does this imply for his race strategy?
**Mark Thompson:** Hamilton’s laps were definitely disrupted, and losing control at Turn 14 was unfortunate. Starting from 10th means he’ll need a strong strategy to move up during the race. It could involve aggressive tire strategies or early pit stops to gain positions. He’ll need to capitalize on any opportunities that arise during the race, as overtaking could be challenging.
**Interviewer:** what can we anticipate for the race itself with Russell starting from pole and a close competitive grid behind him?
**Mark Thompson:** It’s set to be an exciting race! Russell has the opportunity to dictate the pace from the front, but with the likes of Sainz, Gasly, and the ever-competitive Verstappen and Norris behind him, he’s going to have to defend his position vigorously. Strategy and tire management will be key, and we could see a few surprises along the way given the field’s competitive nature.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mark, for your insights! The anticipation for tomorrow’s race has certainly heightened.
**Mark Thompson:** My pleasure! I’m looking forward to it as well. Let’s see how this thrilling qualifying shapes up into race day!
