Steering Issue Costs George Russell Pole Position at Las Vegas GP

Mercedes driver George Russell cited a power steering issue in Q3 as the reason he missed out on pole position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, calling it a "missed opportunity." Despite topping every practice and early qualifying session, Russell will start fourth, feeling fortunate to have avoided a worse outcome given the mechanical problem.

Why it matters:

George Russell's strong performance throughout the Las Vegas GP weekend positioned him as a clear favorite for pole. A mechanical issue preventing him from converting that pace into a top grid slot represents a significant missed opportunity for Mercedes, especially as they aim to maximize points and momentum in the championship. For a driver of Russell's caliber, consistent technical reliability is paramount to challenging for race wins and potentially the title.

The Details:

• Russell's Dominance Leading Up to Q3: Russell had been the quickest in all Friday sessions (P1, P2, P3), as well as in Q1 and Q2, making him the presumptive pole favorite for the Las Vegas GP.
• Q3 Steering Issue: During his second lap in Q3, Russell experienced a sudden power steering problem that severely impacted his ability to control the car, stating he "thought I had to stop the car on track." He finished P4, eight tenths behind polesitter Lando Norris.
• Difficult Conditions: Qualifying was made more challenging by rainy conditions on the Nevada street circuit, which Russell described as "pretty horrendous" and "not fun at all."
• Antonelli's Q1 Exit: Russell's rookie teammate, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, was eliminated in Q1, managing only 17th. He reported locking up on his final lap while pushing for a top-five position, losing what he believed would have been a strong qualifying result.
  • Antonelli had shown strong recent form, scoring points in five of the previous six Grands Prix, including two podiums in Brazil.
  • Despite the Q1 setback, Antonelli expressed confidence in his pace and aims to climb through the field to score points in the race.

Looking Ahead:

While Russell expressed frustration over the missed pole, securing P4 despite a significant mechanical issue demonstrates his and the car's underlying pace. Both Mercedes drivers will be focused on a strong race day performance to recover lost ground.

• Russell will be looking to convert his proven pace into a podium finish, aiming to challenge the cars ahead.
• Antonelli, despite his Q1 exit, remains optimistic about his race pace and aims to battle for points, leveraging the car's performance shown in earlier sessions. The team will be keen to understand and resolve the steering issue to prevent recurrence in future races.