Russell Tops Tricky Las Vegas FP3 as Conditions Challenge Teams
George Russell topped a challenging Free Practice 3 session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, navigating damp conditions and significant track evolution to set the fastest time. The session saw drivers struggle with tire grip and temperature, making data collection tricky ahead of qualifying. Russell's performance suggests Mercedes could be a strong contender in the upcoming qualifying session and the race.
George Russell claimed the top spot in the final free practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen as the checkered flag fell. The session was marked by challenging damp conditions and significant track evolution, forcing teams to adapt quickly.
Why it matters:
Final practice sessions are crucial for teams to fine-tune their setups and gather critical data ahead of qualifying. With the Las Vegas circuit presenting unique challenges like cool temperatures and a street circuit layout, adapting to changing conditions is paramount for a strong performance in both qualifying and the race. Russell's strong showing in these tricky conditions suggests Mercedes could be a contender.
The details:
- Damp Start: Rain just before the session left the track damp, leading many drivers to start on intermediate tires.
- Track Evolution: As the session progressed, the track began to dry, but cool temperatures made the switch to slick tires challenging due to a lack of grip.
- Tire Warm-up: Drivers struggled to generate heat in their slick tires, making the initial laps on dry compounds treacherous.
- Lap Times Tumble: Once the crossover point was reached and tires were up to temperature, lap times dropped rapidly.
- Top 10 Results: The session concluded with George Russell leading, followed closely by Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, and Isack Hadjar rounded out the top six.
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- George Russell, Mercedes, 1:35.646
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- Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 1:35.734 (+ 0.088)
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- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:35.908 (+ 0.262)
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- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:36.284 (+ 0.638)
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- Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 1:36.482 (+ 0.836)
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- Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls, 1:36.521 (+ 0.875)
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- Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, 1:36.650 (+ 1.004)
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- Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull, 1:36.667 (+ 1.021)
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- Alex Albon, Williams, 1:36.747 (+ 1.101)
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- Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber, 1:36.944 (+ 1.298)
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The big picture:
The fluctuating conditions in FP3 provided an unexpected variable for teams. While some drivers found pace, others struggled to get a clear read on their car's performance. The ability to quickly adapt to grip levels and tire behavior will be critical in qualifying and the race, especially if similar conditions persist. Mercedes' strong performance under pressure hints at their potential to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari.
What's next:
Teams will now analyze the data from this challenging session to make final adjustments for qualifying. The unpredictable nature of the Las Vegas track, combined with potentially similar weather conditions, means that qualifying will be a tight battle where every tenth of a second will count. Expect a thrilling qualifying session as drivers push the limits on this unique street circuit.