George Russell mastered the changing grip and growing pressure of final practice to top a dramatic FP3 session in Las Vegas, setting a 1m 34.054s for Mercedes ahead of Max Verstappen and Alex Albon as preparations sharpen for qualifying in the 2025 F1 World Championship.
What To Know?
- Russell fastest with 1:34.054 in drying FP3.
- Verstappen +0.227s; Albon third after late shootout.
- McLarens 19th & 20th with technical issues.
On a track that began damp, then transitioned slowly toward slick conditions, Russell judged the evolution to perfection late on as the session intensified. Verstappen finished 0.227s back after a frantic final run that included traffic frustration and a wide moment, while Albon impressed once again to take third. At the other end of the spectrum, both McLarens endured a nightmare hour, with technical issues leaving Oscar Piastri and championship leader Lando Norris marooned at the bottom of the timings in 19th and 20th.
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With two red flags disrupting Thursday running, FP3 was a precious window for track time—but opening laps came cautiously, the Strip Circuit still damp from earlier showers. Piastri was first out on intermediates, gradually lowering the bar as grip improved, while Albon briefly ran off at Turn 5 as others tiptoed onto the drying line. Norris then briefly led with a 1m 43.078s, before caution crept in: Carlos Sainz suggested slicks were close, while Yuki Tsunoda was called in with a suspected issue. Verstappen was soon warned rain could arrive in 10 minutes, prompting Norris to gamble early by switching to softs—despite conditions still sitting on the wrong side of marginal.
The crossover point arrived quickly and brutally. Times tumbled once Hamilton fitted slicks, going fastest with a 1m 42.809s, surviving a scare as he nearly ran into the back of Liam Lawson at Turn 14—an incident noted by Race Control, but not pursued further. With 20 minutes remaining, four drivers still had no times logged, while the track went through its steepest evolution yet. Soon the entire field were on softs, and the battle for momentum was on. Verstappen landed a 1m 35.646s to lead the final 10 minutes, before Lawson delivered a shock fastest time by 0.009s, temporarily putting Racing Bulls top. But in the final flurry, Russell struck when it counted, reclaiming P1 as Verstappen fell short in his final attempt amid mounting frustration over traffic.
Behind Russell, Verstappen, and Albon, Isack Hadjar continued his standout Vegas weekend in fourth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli, Lawson, Stroll, Alonso, and Gasly completing the top 10. Bearman led the midfield in 11th ahead of Sainz, Bortoleto, Ocon, and Leclerc—who ended a quiet session down in 15th. Franco Colapinto slotted in 16th, ahead of Hülkenberg and Tsunoda, with both McLarens completing the order, neither able to complete a clean late lap due to technical complications. With Russell leading the charge into nightfall, all eyes now turn to qualifying at 20:00 local time, where the grid for Vegas’ most unpredictable race weekend yet will be decided.
2025 Las Vegas GP FP3 Results
2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix FP3, 21 November 2025
| Pos. | No. | Driver | Team | Time / Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:34.054 | 21 |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.227s | 28 |
| 3 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams | +0.821s | 21 |
| 4 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | +1.115s | 26 |
| 5 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +1.215s | 29 |
| 6 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +1.331s | 23 |
| 7 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +1.385s | 25 |
| 8 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.479s | 11 |
| 9 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +1.486s | 12 |
| 10 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.508s | 13 |
| 11 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas F1 Team | +1.532s | 18 |
| 12 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | +1.608s | 22 |
| 13 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber | +1.684s | 16 |
| 14 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas F1 Team | +1.763s | 24 |
| 15 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +1.854s | 27 |
| 16 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +2.251s | 17 |
| 17 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber | +2.596s | 11 |
| 18 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing | +2.613s | 24 |
| 19 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +2.969s | 20 |
| 20 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +3.058s | 18 |
Race Guide
Season: 2025 F1 World Championship
Race weekend: 20 November 2025 – 22 November 2025
Race date: Sunday, 22 November 2025
Race start time: 20:00 local time
Circuit: Las Vegas Strip Circuit
Laps: 50
Circuit length: 6.201km
2024 winner: George Russell
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