In Las Vegas the Briton from Mercedes, winner last year, finished the third free practice session in front. He precedes Verstappen and Albon. The McLarens are far away, but do not attempt the time attack like Charles (15th)
The F1 weekend in Las Vegas gets underway and George Russell wants to be the protagonist. The Briton, winner on this track a year ago, ends FP3 in the lead. At the wheel of the Mercedes he stops the clock at a time of 1’34″054. Behind him is Max Verstappen at 227 thousandths. The world champion on Red Bull precedes the Williams of Alexander Albon, an excellent third. Lewis Hamilton is fifth with the Ferrari, while the other Red of Charles Leclerc is fifteenth. The Monegasque does not attempt the time attack in the final, just like the McLarens of Oscar Piastri, nineteenth, and Lando Norris, twentieth. Sixth time for Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
SURPRISE
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The rain that fell a few hours earlier leaves the asphalt damp. So the drivers take to the track with intermediate tyres, waiting for conditions to improve. The track dries, but not completely. Many corrections to the driving by the protagonists. After 30 minutes the time table sees Hamilton in the lead with a lap of 1’42″809. Second is Antonelli, then Norris. The world championship leader precedes Russell and his teammate Piastri. Verstappen is sixth, ahead of Hadjar, Leclerc, Lawson and Albon.
RUSSELL IN FRONT
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The last half hour is tackled on dry tyres. We opt for soft compounds. The times, however, did not improve immediately: grip remained low. Hamilton took a big risk when he almost collided with Hadjar, who had slowed down and was in turn slowed down by other drivers. Lewis gets away with a big scare. At the end the challenge for the fastest lap comes on. Russell wins, finishing ahead of Verstappen and Albon. Hadjar precedes Hamilton and Hamilton. Then Lawson, Stroll, Alonso and Gasly in the top 10. Followed by Bearman, Sainz, Bortoleto, Ocon and Leclerc. Colapinto, Hulkenberg and Tsunoda leave the McLarens behind.
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