Russell Goes Fastest During Final Practice in Las Vegas

Challenging Conditions at Las Vegas Grand Prix Practice Session

The third and final practice session (FP3) for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix saw George Russell setting a strong pace, leading the way for Mercedes. The conditions were far from ideal with tricky track surfaces and varying levels of grip throughout the hour-long session.

Track Conditions and Early Gambles

Around 15 minutes into FP3, it was Oscar Piastri who made an early move by setting himself on intermediate tyres. The track was still damp from earlier rain showers, making for low-grip conditions that tested the drivers’ skills and strategies.

Meanwhile, championship leader Lando Norris opted to take a gamble with his tyre choice, switching to soft tyres despite the initial challenges faced by the other drivers. His decision paid off as he set an early benchmark lap time of 1m 43.078s for McLaren.

Main Competitors and Surprising Performances

While Norris was leading, it wasn’t long before Max Verstappen came in hot with a strong lap of 1m 35.646s using soft tyres. However, the Red Bull driver expressed his frustrations about traffic issues during the session.

Russell’s performance stood out, as he clocked an impressive time of 1m 34.054s to secure pole position for Qualifying. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished third at 1m 34.879s, while Alex Albon came in fourth.

Interestingly, Isack Hadjar managed to finish the session strong, coming in fifth despite running wide and facing some challenging moments on track. Other notable performances included Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson, who finished just outside the top 10.

Championship Leader Norris’s Disappointment

Lando Norris’ position at the bottom of the timesheets was a surprise, finishing well behind Russell and Verstappen. His team struggled with technical issues that prevented him from setting a clean lap in the final stages of practice.

Norris reflected on his session, expressing his disappointment: “The car just wasn’t there for me today. We’ve been struggling massively this weekend and it’s really frustrating,” he said over the radio.

Implications for Qualifying and Beyond

The final practice session at Las Vegas was crucial as drivers prepared for the high-stakes qualifying session set to begin at 20:00 local time. With Norris facing technical issues and Verstappen and Albon struggling, the dynamics of the field could shift significantly in the coming hours.

As Formula One fans eagerly await the conclusion of practice, the team strategies and driver performances will continue to be closely watched as they prepare for the main event—Qualifying—and ultimately the race itself at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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