Formula One: George Russell Takes Pole Position in Las Vegas Grand Prix
Qualifying Highlights
The Las Vegas Grand Prix saw Mercedes driver George Russell take pole position with a time of 1:32.312s, just 0.098s quicker than Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. Russell had been on provisional pole after the first flying laps but left the best to last, improving his time as others went faster on an improving track.
Grid Positions
The top three drivers will line up on the front row, with Russell, Sainz, and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start fourth, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who will seal a fourth successive championship tomorrow if he beats McLaren’s Lando Norris, will start fifth. Norris will start sixth alongside Verstappen on the third row.
Championship Leader
Verstappen, 62 points clear of Norris with 60 remaining to be won after Las Vegas, had been third after the opening laps with Norris fourth. His teammate Sergio Perez continued his run of poor form and failed to qualify in the top 10, starting 16th.
Other Notable Qualifiers
Yuki Tsunoda qualified seventh for RB, while Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg qualified eighth and ninth respectively for US-owned Haas. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, fastest in practice for Mercedes, was only 10th after misjudging his first effort and running wide before having his second attempt deleted for exceeding track limits.
Aston Martin and Williams Struggles
Both Aston Martins failed to get through the first phase, with Lance Stroll getting only one flying lap after his mechanics raced against the clock to change his car’s energy recovery system (ERS) pack. Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto added to Williams’ already hefty repair bill by hitting the wall and crashing in qualifying for the second race in a row.
Conclusion
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to be an exciting race, with Verstappen looking to seal his fourth successive championship and Russell hoping to hold off the competition from the front row. With a number of drivers struggling with poor form, the race could be anyone’s for the taking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who took pole position in the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
A: George Russell of Mercedes took pole position with a time of 1:32.312s.
Q: Who will start second in the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
A: Carlos Sainz of Ferrari will start second, just 0.098s behind Russell.
Q: Can Max Verstappen seal the championship tomorrow?
A: Yes, Verstappen can seal his fourth successive championship tomorrow if he beats Lando Norris.
Q: Which teams struggled in qualifying?
A: Aston Martin and Williams both struggled in qualifying, with Lance Stroll and Franco Colapinto failing to get through the first phase.