George Russell Tops Final Practice at 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix
George Russell emerged as the fastest driver in the final practice session of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, navigating challenging damp conditions that eventually dried out. Max Verstappen followed closely, despite a late-session error, while McLaren struggled significantly. Russell's strong performance sets an intriguing tone for qualifying, highlighting Mercedes' potential.
George Russell concluded the final practice session in Las Vegas as the quickest driver, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling qualifying. The session began under damp conditions, forcing all drivers onto intermediate tires to navigate the slick track. However, as the session progressed, the track dried, allowing teams to switch to soft compounds and gather crucial data ahead of qualifying.
Why it matters:
- Topping FP3 gives Russell and Mercedes a significant psychological boost, hinting at their potential competitiveness on the Las Vegas street circuit.
- The fluctuating track conditions throughout the session provided a challenging environment, making Russell's performance even more commendable and a strong indicator of his adaptability.
- Understanding how teams adapted from intermediate to soft tires in changing conditions is crucial for predicting qualifying and race performance.
The details:
- Russell's Pace: Russell posted the fastest time, demonstrating strong pace and adaptability in the changing conditions.
- Verstappen's Challenge: Max Verstappen was close behind, just two-tenths off Russell's pace, despite having his final hot lap abandoned due to a mistake in the low-grip environment. This suggests Red Bull's underlying speed even with minor errors.
- McLaren's Woes: McLaren faced significant issues late in the session, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finishing in 19th and 20th, respectively. This will be a concern for the team heading into qualifying.
- Changing Conditions: The session started damp, requiring intermediate tires, but eventually dried out, allowing for a switch to soft tires. This provided valuable data on tire degradation and optimal performance across different compounds.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to qualifying, where teams will aim to translate their practice performance into strong grid positions. The unpredictable nature of the Las Vegas circuit, combined with potential lingering dampness or grip issues, could lead to an exciting and surprising qualifying session. McLaren will be working hard to diagnose and fix their issues, while Mercedes and Red Bull look to consolidate their strong practice form.