The 2024 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session delivered an electrifying spectacle under the bright lights of the Nevada desert. Mercedes’ George Russell emerged victorious, securing pole position with a blistering lap time of 1:32.312. This marks Russell’s third pole of the season and sets the stage for a thrilling race on the iconic Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

Mercedes’ Dominance in Challenging Conditions

Russell’s commanding performance highlights Mercedes’ ability to adapt to the unique challenges posed by the Las Vegas circuit. Low temperatures and a slippery track surface made finding optimal grip a daunting task, but Russell kept his composure to edge out Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who qualified second with a time of 1:32.410.

Gasly Shines for Alpine

Pierre Gasly delivered a standout performance for Alpine, clinching third place with a time of 1:32.664. Gasly’s result is a testament to Alpine’s progress this season and positions him as a dark horse for the main race. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc narrowly missed out on the top three, finishing fourth with a time of 1:32.783.

Verstappen and Red Bull Struggle

Defending champion Max Verstappen faced unexpected difficulties during qualifying, managing only fifth place with a lap of 1:32.797. His Red Bull teammate, Sergio Pérez, had an even tougher session, failing to advance past Q1 and qualifying in a disappointing 16th place. Verstappen’s result underscores Red Bull’s struggles to optimize their car for the unique demands of the Las Vegas circuit.

McLaren Continues Strong Form

McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri demonstrated consistent form, qualifying sixth and eighth respectively. Norris clocked a time of 1:33.008, while rookie Piastri showcased his potential with a solid lap of 1:33.033. Their performance reaffirms McLaren’s resurgence in the latter half of the season.

Dramatic Moments in Q2

Williams’ Franco Colapinto experienced a terrifying crash during Q2, colliding with the barriers and causing significant damage to his car. While the driver escaped unharmed, the incident brought out a red flag and added tension to an already intense session. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton managed to scrape into Q3 but could only secure 10th place with a time of 1:33.106, leaving Mercedes with mixed results heading into the race.


Full Qualification Results

PositionDriverTeamTime
1George RussellMercedes1:32.312
2Carlos SainzFerrari1:32.410
3Pierre GaslyAlpine1:32.664
4Charles LeclercFerrari1:32.783
5Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing1:32.797
6Lando NorrisMcLaren1:33.008
7Yuki TsunodaVisa Cash App RB1:33.029
8Oscar PiastriMcLaren1:33.033
9Nico HülkenbergHaas1:33.062
10Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:33.106
11Esteban OconAlpine1:33.345
12Zhou GuanyuAlfa Romeo1:33.587
13Kevin MagnussenHaas1:33.602
14Fernando AlonsoAston Martin1:33.769
15Valtteri BottasAlfa Romeo1:33.921
16Sergio PérezRed Bull Racing1:34.212
17Alexander AlbonWilliams1:34.445
18Lance StrollAston Martin1:34.675
19Logan SargeantWilliams1:34.889
20Franco ColapintoWilliamsNo Time

Anticipation Builds for the Race

The Las Vegas Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling showdown, with Russell looking to convert his pole position into victory. However, with Sainz and Gasly close behind, and Verstappen aiming to fight back from fifth, the race could see plenty of drama and unexpected turns.

The race will take place on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 22:00 local time (06:00 GMT on Sunday). Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the action as the drivers prepare to battle it out under the glittering lights of Las Vegas.