WATCH: George Russell’s Vegas masterclass as Mercedes clinches first pole since July

George Russell delivered a breathtaking final lap in Las Vegas, securing pole position for the Grand Prix and reigniting Mercedes’ hopes. Under the dazzling lights of the Strip, Russell edged out Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by a razor-thin margin of 0.098 seconds in a thrilling climax to the qualifying session. This marks Mercedes’ first pole since the British Grand Prix in July, a testament to Russell’s skill and determination.

Here is the video:

By George, what a lap! 🤩

Ride onboard with George Russell as he storms to pole on the streets of Vegas 🎥#F1 #LasVegasGP @pirellisport pic.twitter.com/TR1QxKvnPe

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 23, 2024

“It feels incredible to be back on pole,” Russell said after the session. “We’ve been fast all weekend, and I knew if I could put in a clean lap, it would be enough. Now, it’s about turning this into a win.” Behind Russell’s heroics, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly surprised many by securing third, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc settled for fourth after a session riddled with errors.

Leclerc’s inability to deliver a flawless lap left him disappointed despite showing promising pace earlier in the weekend. The drama unfolded against the backdrop of a delayed final shootout, caused by Franco Colapinto’s crash into the retaining wall during the second qualifying session. Once the action resumed, it was clear some big names struggled to find their rhythm.

A frustrating qualifying for Lewis Hamilton!

Lewis Hamilton, who had shown promise throughout the weekend and topped the second qualifying session, could only manage 10th place. A frustrated Hamilton lamented another missed opportunity in a season where he’s frequently fallen short of converting potential into results. Meanwhile, reigning champion Max Verstappen secured fifth, maintaining his stronghold on the championship lead, though his performance was subdued by his usual standards.

Lando Norris of McLaren, still in contention for the championship, finished sixth, leaving him with a daunting task in Sunday’s race to keep his title hopes alive. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri took eighth, while Yuki Tsunoda impressed by taking seventh for AlphaTauri.