Qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to begin, following a challenging final practice session where drivers struggled with low grip. George Russell led practice ahead of Max Verstappen, while McLaren faced last-minute car issues. The session will determine the starting grid, with high stakes for all teams given the unpredictable nature of the street circuit.
George Russell secured the fastest time in the final practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, outpacing Max Verstappen. However, the session was marked by McLaren's unexpected struggles, with both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris ending up slowest due to difficulties with tire temperature and a suspected electrical fault in Norris's car, raising concerns for their qualifying performance.
George Russell led a chaotic final practice in Las Vegas, outperforming Max Verstappen by 0.227s on a damp-to-drying track. The session, marked by mixed tire strategies and a near-miss for Lewis Hamilton, underscored the unpredictable nature of the circuit. McLaren's drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, fell to the back due to late sensor issues, making for an intriguing qualifying session ahead.
George Russell topped a challenging FP3 session at the Las Vegas GP, demonstrating Mercedes' adaptability on a drying track. McLaren, however, faced significant issues with both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who suffered telemetry and electrical problems, respectively, leaving them at the bottom of the timesheets and raising concerns for qualifying. This session highlighted the unpredictable nature of the Las Vegas circuit, setting the stage for a strategic unknown heading into qualifying.
McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri shockingly finished last in the final practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, three seconds off pacesetter George Russell. Technical issues, including electrical problems for Norris and telemetry woes for Piastri, severely hampered their crucial soft-tire runs. This unexpected setback leaves McLaren with a significant challenge ahead of qualifying, raising questions about their performance on the unique Las Vegas street circuit.
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.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes narrowly avoided a 'very nasty' collision with Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls during FP3 in Las Vegas. The incident underscores the dangers of the circuit and the crucial need for driver awareness and effective communication in Formula 1, especially in high-stakes practice sessions.
Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris led the initial free practice sessions at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but severe disruptions, including rain and a manhole cover incident, have left teams scrambling for track time. With only one crucial FP3 session remaining before qualifying, drivers face immense pressure to adapt to the low-grip circuit and finalize setups, setting the stage for an unpredictable weekend.
Drivers will take to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit for the final practice session (FP3) of the Grand Prix weekend. This crucial hour is the last opportunity for all 20 drivers to fine-tune their car setups and gather vital data before the qualifying session under the lights. Track evolution and tire management will be key factors as teams aim to find their 'sweet spot' on the new street circuit.
Max Verstappen is baffled by Oscar Piastri's 'very bizarre' and sudden drop in form, which saw him lose a 34-point championship lead to his teammate Lando Norris. Verstappen, now a distant contender himself, noted McLaren's post-summer break issues but couldn't explain Piastri's individual slump, while also commenting on operational differences in handling adversity compared to his own team.
The FIA is facing a challenging period, with the Felipe Massa lawsuit moving forward and a 'weakness' in F1's cost cap regulations being exposed by Max Verstappen's engine change. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc faced an FIA investigation in Las Vegas, Lewis Hamilton showed optimism about his Ferrari, and a key FIA aerodynamicist is set to return to a team on the grid. These developments underscore critical regulatory and operational issues shaping the future of Formula 1.
Oscar Piastri believes McLaren's MCL39 possesses "decent" pace at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, despite a Thursday plagued by braking issues and drain cover disruptions. Teammate Lando Norris, who topped FP2, is confident of fighting for pole position, intensifying their championship duel. Both drivers aim to maximize performance despite the limited running and track unknowns.
