George Russell secured pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in a thrilling Q3 session. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who is poised to be crowned champion soon, finished in fifth place, just ahead of his competitor Lando Norris.
Russell made a significant impact as the last driver to set a time in Q3, clocking an impressive 1m32.312s to surpass Carlos Sainz, who had initially secured provisional pole. Earlier in the session, Russell had set a solid benchmark with a time of 1m32.811s, leading the pack as Lewis Hamilton faced challenges after an off-track incident at Turn 14.
As the session progressed, Charles Leclerc managed to slip ahead with a time of 1m32.783s. However, Sainz enhanced his performance further, temporarily claiming the top spot. Russell’s final push, though, proved decisive as he clinched the pole, showcasing his skill and determination.
Pierre Gasly delivered an outstanding performance, qualifying third and successfully placing himself between the Ferrari drivers on the grid. Verstappen and Norris rounded out the third row, while Yuki Tsunoda achieved the seventh-fastest time, just ahead of Oscar Piastri. Nico Hulkenberg qualified ninth, finishing just a fraction behind Russell’s pole lap.
Hamilton faced difficulties in Q3, with his second lap being invalidated after he lost control in Turn 4. Consequently, he could only manage a tenth-place finish. Had he matched his previous Q2 time, he would have qualified third.
The qualifying session faced a significant interruption when Franco Colapinto crashed hard exiting Turn 16. Though most drivers had completed their laps prior to the incident, the crash led to a stoppage and increased repair costs for the Williams team as the car sustained severe damage.
Esteban Ocon struggled to make the top 10, while his teammate Gasly’s last-minute effort eliminated Kevin Magnussen from the running. Zhou Guanyu finished 13th, with Colapinto in 14th and Liam Lawson retreating to the pits to end his session in 15th.
In Q1, Sergio Perez was unable to secure a spot in the later rounds, lamenting a lack of grip in his Red Bull. He will start the race in 16th, just ahead of Fernando Alonso, as neither Aston Martin made it past the first round. Alex Albon and Valtteri Bottas also failed to advance, with Bottas set to start from the back due to a grid penalty.
This qualifying round sets the stage for an exciting race, with Russell showcasing his best form and the battle for points intensifying across the grid. Fans can look forward to a thrilling Las Vegas Grand Prix, as the drivers gear up for what promises to be an unforgettable contest.