2024 Las Vegas GP FP3: Russell sets the pace

George Russell topped FP3 at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix ahead of qualifying; Lando Norris finished fourth, Max Verstappen fifth.

Ben

By Ben Bush
Published on November 23, 2024

George Russell Mercedes 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix FP3
George Russell (car no. 63) in the Mercedes during FP3 of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix // Image: Mercedes Media

George Russell set the pace in the final practice session for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Mercedes maintaining their impressive form ahead of qualifying.

After Lewis Hamilton dominated both practice sessions on Friday, Mercedes continued to shine. Russell and Hamilton occupied the top spots for much of the session before Russell secured the fastest lap in a late flurry of action, which was prematurely halted by a red flag.

Formula One History Recommends

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took second place, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz splitting the McLaren duo by finishing third, ahead of Lando Norris in fourth.

Max Verstappen, who faced challenges earlier in the session, showed improved speed late on to secure fifth, bolstering his chances of clinching the world championship this weekend. Verstappen can claim his fourth consecutive drivers’ title with two races remaining by finishing ahead of Norris, or by ensuring he does not lose more than three points to the McLaren driver.

Hamilton ended the session in sixth place after failing to put together a clean lap on fresh soft tires, despite showing a closely matched pace to Russell throughout the session.

The event’s unique setup, with Las Vegas’ iconic Strip closed off in the evenings for Formula 1, presents unusual challenges. The circuit is far dirtier than usual for F1 standards, worsened by the absence of support races that typically help lay down rubber and improve track conditions. As a result, the surface evolves rapidly during each session.

This dynamic was on display again late in the session when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll suffered a technical failure, bringing his car to a stop on the track with six minutes remaining. A red flag was issued to clear the car, leaving just enough time for drivers to return to the pit lane and conduct practice starts in the final moments.

Las Vegas GP FP3 Results

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix FP3, 22 November 2024

PosNoDriverCarTimeGapLaps
163George RussellMercedes1:33.57018
281Oscar PiastriMcLaren Mercedes1:33.785+0.215s14
355Carlos SainzFerrari1:33.918+0.348s16
44Lando NorrisMcLaren Mercedes1:34.008+0.438s14
51Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:34.137+0.567s17
644Lewis HamiltonMercedes1:34.341+0.771s17
723Alexander AlbonWilliams Mercedes1:34.407+0.837s15
843Franco ColapintoWilliams Mercedes1:34.723+1.153s15
920Kevin MagnussenHaas Ferrari1:34.883+1.313s13
1010Pierre GaslyAlpine Renault1:34.905+1.335s15
1127Nico HulkenbergHaas Ferrari1:34.908+1.338s15
1216Charles LeclercFerrari1:34.941+1.371s15
1311Sergio PerezRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:35.061+1.491s19
1431Esteban OconAlpine Renault1:35.460+1.890s14
1514Fernando AlonsoAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:35.938+2.368s16
1622Yuki TsunodaRB Honda RBPT1:36.215+2.645s18
1777Valtteri BottasKick Sauber Ferrari1:36.412+2.842s14
1830Liam LawsonRB Honda RBPT1:36.544+2.974s18
1918Lance StrollAston Martin Aramco Mercedes1:36.950+3.380s13
2024Zhou GuanyuKick Sauber Ferrari1:36.988+3.418s16

Seen in:

About The Author

Staff Writer

Ben Bush
Ben

Ben is a staff writer specialising in F1 from the 1990s to the modern era. Ben has been following Formula 1 since 1986 and is an avid researcher who loves understanding the technology that makes it one of the most exciting motorsport on the planet. He listens to podcasts about F1 on a daily basis, and enjoys reading books from the inspirational Adrian Newey to former F1 drivers.

Latest Reads