George Russell capped off an incredible performance in Las Vegas by securing the fastest time in the third and final practice session, completing a practice hat-trick for Mercedes. Russell’s dominant display was interrupted by a dramatic late red flag caused by Lance Stroll’s AMR24, which came to a halt on the side of the track, ensuring Russell held onto P1 for the session.
A Stellar Performance from George Russell
After topping the timesheets in both earlier practice sessions, Russell finished the final practice of the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend in style, proving Mercedes’ growing strength. His performance was a continuation of the team’s impressive run of form, particularly in the high-pressure environment of a street circuit like Las Vegas. Russell, known for his consistency and racecraft, was quick to extract the maximum performance from his W14, handling the twisty and demanding layout of the Las Vegas track with ease.
Despite the late red flag halting the action, Russell’s lap times stood unchallenged, and he was confirmed in P1, making it a perfect hat-trick for Mercedes in practice. This result sets a strong foundation for the team as they aim for a top result in qualifying and the race.
Lance Stroll’s Late Red Flag Incident
The session, which was shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion, took a dramatic turn when Lance Stroll’s AMR24 came to a stop on the track, bringing out the red flag. The Canadian driver was forced to pull over to the side of the circuit, bringing the session to an early end and preventing any last-minute improvements from the other drivers.
While it was an unfortunate moment for Stroll and Aston Martin, the incident confirmed Russell’s position at the top of the timesheets. Aston Martin will likely work quickly to resolve the issue ahead of qualifying, but the late red flag left the team with little time to get back into the action.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
With George Russell on top, the stage is set for an exciting qualifying session. Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Sergio Perez will all be looking to challenge Mercedes’ strong pace, and it remains to be seen whether Ferrari and Red Bull can disrupt the German team’s form.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix promises to be a spectacle, with the combination of high-speed straights, tight corners, and the neon lights of the Strip making for an unpredictable and thrilling race.
