McLaren Duo Hits Rock Bottom as George Russell Dominates Las Vegas FP3

McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris remarkably finished at the bottom of the timesheet in a stunning final practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, three seconds behind pacesetter George Russell. This setback, compounded by electrical and telemetry issues, raises serious concerns for the team heading into qualifying.

Why it matters:

After a strong season, McLaren's unexpected poor performance in FP3, particularly with both drivers at the very bottom, is a significant blow to their momentum. With qualifying just hours away, the team faces an uphill battle to understand and rectify their issues to avoid starting at the back of the grid. This session highlights the unique challenges of the Las Vegas street circuit, where track evolution and setup are paramount.

The Details:

• McLaren's Woes: Lando Norris finished slowest, three seconds behind George Russell's 1:34.054s. Oscar Piastri was just a tenth faster, in 19th place. Both drivers encountered technical problems: Norris with an electrical issue and Piastri with a telemetry problem, limiting their crucial soft-tire runs as the track rubbered in.
• Track Conditions: The session began on a damp track following overnight rain, with track temperatures at a cool 13.7°C and air at 12.9°C. Drivers initially used intermediate tires before switching to softs as a dry line emerged.
• Overnight Repairs: The circuit underwent extensive repairs after an FIA inspection revealed a loose manhole cover at Turn 17, which had cut short FP2. The faulty cover was welded shut, and 14 other covers near the racing line also required attention.
• Russell's Dominance: Mercedes' George Russell ultimately set the fastest lap with a 1:34.054s, showcasing strong pace despite the challenging conditions and rapidly evolving track.
• Norris's Caution: Norris was instructed to take "zero risk" on his first soft tire run on the damp track, visibly struggling with oversteer, which resulted in a very slow initial lap.

The Big Picture:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend has been anything but straightforward, marked by track issues and challenging weather. While Russell's pace is a positive for Mercedes, McLaren's struggles underscore the delicate balance required on this unique street circuit. Track evolution played a massive role, with lap times tumbling dramatically in the final minutes as more rubber was laid down, making late runs on fresh soft tires critical for a true performance indication.

What's Next:

McLaren faces an urgent task to diagnose and fix the issues affecting both Norris's and Piastri's cars before qualifying. Missing out on critical soft-tire running means they will enter qualifying with less data on optimal setup and tire performance, potentially compromising their starting positions. The cool temperatures and potential for further light rain could continue to make conditions tricky, demanding adaptability from all teams. Their ability to recover will be a major storyline to watch as qualifying approaches.