George Russell showcased his impressive form during the final practice session for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, setting the fastest time and confirming Mercedes’ dominance throughout the weekend.
The session which took place on a chilly Friday morning, was characterized by a slippery track that challenged drivers as they sought to optimize their setups ahead of qualifying.
George Russell’s lap time of 1:33.570 not only placed him at the top of the timesheets but also highlighted the competitive nature of the session, where he was closely followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
As the final practice for 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix commenced, it was Sergio Pérez who first ventured onto the track albeit with a cautious approach, posting a slow time of 1:41.941 on medium tyres. The Mexican’s initial run quickly proved unrepresentative, prompting him to return to the pits for adjustments.
The early minutes saw a handful of drivers completing installation laps, but it wasn’t until Max Verstappen joined the fray that the pace began to pick up.
Initially struggling with grip, Verstappen managed to post a competitive lap after switching to soft tires, briefly taking the lead before being overtaken by Russell.
The session saw various drivers grappling with the challenging conditions. After approximately 20 minutes, both Verstappen and Pérez began to find their rhythm on soft tires, with the reigning world champion eventually clocking a lap that put him at the top momentarily.
However, his lead was short-lived as George Russell responded with an even faster time, demonstrating Mercedes’ continued strength in performance. The competitive spirit later intensified as Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz also improved their times, showcasing the tight battle for supremacy among the top teams.
With just under ten minutes remaining in the session, a red flag was deployed due to Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin losing power on track. The incident halted proceedings for five minutes and disrupted many drivers’ plans for final runs.
When the session resumed, there was limited time left for drivers to complete additional laps. Most took advantage of this by performing practice starts on the grid rather than attempting further flying laps.
In terms of overall performance during the final practice for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, George Russell’s ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions was evident. His strategic use of soft tires allowed him to maximize grip when it mattered most.
Oscar Piastri’s second-place finish was equally commendable; he demonstrated solid pace throughout the session and managed to close the gap to Russell by just 0.215 seconds, indicating that McLaren is in contention for strong results in qualifying and potentially in the race itself.
Carlos Sainz rounded out the top three with a time of 1:33.918, showcasing Ferrari’s competitiveness despite being slightly off Mercedes’ pace.
Lando Norris followed closely behind in fourth place, further solidifying McLaren’s strong showing during practice sessions this weekend as the battle for pole position appeared increasingly tight among these four teams—Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull—suggesting an exciting qualifying ahead.
Max Verstappen’s performance was somewhat mixed; while he initially struggled with grip issues that led him to describe his car as “undriveable,” he improved significantly after switching to soft tyres later in the session.
His eventual fifth-place finish placed him within striking distance of his rivals but highlighted some ongoing challenges for Red Bull in optimizing their setup for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton had a quieter session compared to his teammate Russell but still managed to secure sixth place overall. His experience and consistency were evident as he navigated through tricky conditions without taking unnecessary risks.
The Williams duo of Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto performed admirably, finishing seventh and eighth respectively—an encouraging sign for the team as they look to capitalize on any opportunities during the race weekend.
Kevin Magnussen and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten, both drivers showcasing their abilities despite being overshadowed by larger teams. Magnussen’s performance was particularly noteworthy given Haas’s recent struggles throughout the season.
The final practice session not only set the stage for an exhilarating qualifying but also underscored Mercedes’ resurgence as a formidable force in F1 this season.
With George Russell leading from the front and Piastri emerging as a serious contender from McLaren, fans can anticipate an intense battle for pole position that could have significant implications for race strategy and outcomes.
