Russell Leads in Chaotic Las Vegas GP Final Practice
The final practice session for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix delivered plenty of drama and surprises, leaving fans on the edge of their seats ahead of qualifying. George Russell emerged fastest, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.227 seconds, but the session was far from straightforward. The track conditions played a huge role, as the circuit started damp from earlier showers and gradually dried, creating tricky situations for every driver. Slick tyres were introduced midway through the hour, yet the evolving surface kept teams guessing, making it difficult to predict who would excel in qualifying.
Russell’s late effort on a fresh set of soft tyres ultimately earned him the top spot, while Verstappen had been on course for a faster lap before traffic interfered in the braking zone along the Strip. Williams’ Alex Albon impressed by claiming third fastest, although he remained over eight-tenths behind the leading Mercedes. Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five, demonstrating the mix of teams capable of challenging at this unique street circuit.
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Notably, McLaren faced significant setbacks. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri struggled throughout FP3, finishing at the bottom of the timesheets. Piastri lost telemetry early, while Norris’ MCL39 was deemed electrically unsafe, preventing any further running. This left McLaren’s championship hopes in jeopardy, at least in terms of immediate qualifying performance, as neither driver could capitalize on the drying track. Their challenges highlighted how unpredictable the Las Vegas Street Circuit can be, especially when mixed conditions and technical issues come into play.
Other incidents added to the excitement. Lewis Hamilton went the wrong way in the Turn 17 escape road, Verstappen brushed too close to the Turn 5 wall, and several drivers, including Gabriel Bortoleto in his Sauber, experienced slides and lock-ups while pushing for fast laps. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda faced a slow puncture, prompting a garage stop for repairs, while Alonso, Lawson, and others jockeyed for position on the evolving track, demonstrating the intense mini-qualifying feel of the final practice session.
By the end of FP3, George Russell’s Mercedes had clearly set the benchmark, but the overall unpredictability means qualifying remains anyone’s game. McLaren will need to regroup quickly, while teams like Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes have shown they can extract performance in tricky conditions. With only three races remaining in the season and championship points on the line, Las Vegas promises another thrilling chapter in the 2025 F1 season. Qualifying is set to start at 04:00 GMT, and after a session like this, no one can confidently predict the starting grid.
It’s been a chaotic, high-stakes build-up to what could be a defining weekend on the Strip, where every team and driver will have to be at their absolute best to succeed.
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