George Russell converted Mercedes’ surprising free practice strength to grab pole at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Russell edged out Carlos Sainz in second, while Pierre Gasly ran back a double podium last time out for Alpine with a third-place starting position this week.
GEORGE RUSSELL TAKES POLE IN VEGAS!!! 🤩#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/lOADgM2640
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 23, 2024
“Ultimately, you have to put it on the table sometimes,” Russell said in the podium interviews. “I felt confident in myself and knew if I did a clean lap, it would be enough to secure a front row. To get pole position, it’s incredible but ultimately, we’ve had a few good qualifyings recently. We need to convert that into a win now.”
In the battle for the championship, Max Verstappen qualified fifth, and Lando Norris sixth. If Verstappen finishes ahead of Norris or both finish out of the points, he will have earned the 2024 championship. Norris must gain at least three points to take the championship race into the last two rounds in the Middle East.
Q3
Lewis Hamilton struggled in his first flying lap, driving right off into the run-off in turn 12.
The Mercedes driver avoided damage but went off-track again on his last hot lap and had the time deleted, setting him back in 10th on the grid.
| Pos. | Driver No. | Driver | Team | Time from Leader |
| 1. | 63 | George Russell | chassis engine (only one word if same) | 1:32.312m |
| 2. | 55 | Carlos Sainz | +0.098s | |
| 3. | 10 | Pierre Gasly | +0.352s | |
| 4. | 16 | Charles Leclerc | +0.471s | |
| 5. | 1 | Max Verstappen | +0.485s | |
| 6. | 4 | Lando Norris | +0.696s | |
| 7. | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | +0.717s | |
| 8. | 81 | Oscar Piastri | +0.721s | |
| 9. | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | +0.750s | |
| 10. | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | +15.044s |
Q2
At the end of Q2, Franco Colapinto had a massive crash entering the pit straight.
The recovery operation continues and there’s also lots of debris on track for the marshals to clear up#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/CRnhNGaqSJ
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 23, 2024
Colapinto was able to walk away after having qualified 14th. As of press time, it is unclear if Colapinto can start tomorrow for a parts-strapped Williams team; if he doesn’t, it will be from the pit lane.
Q1
At the end of free practice three earlier in the night, Lance Stroll encountered a massive mechanical issue.
🔴 RED FLAG 🔴
Stroll stops on track – he’s parked up near the barriers#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/TjzqxzGtsO
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 23, 2024
Aston Martin spent the hours in-between trying to fix the car….
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