FP3 Las Vegas saw George Russell go quickest in mixed conditions as drivers battled a damp track and late traffic. A dramatic final practice session for ”.
The final practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix delivered exactly what fans love most—speed, suspense, and a touch of chaos. As the desert skies struggled to make up their mind, George Russell rose above the mixed conditions to set the fastest lap of FP3. With Max Verstappen not far behind and Alex Albon unexpectedly slotting into P3, the hour-long session turned into a thrilling appetizer for the drama awaiting in qualifying.
Before diving into the details, think of this session like a game of musical chairs—every lap, someone new grabbed the top spot, and just when you thought the music was about to stop, the order changed again. Let’s walk through everything that went down.
1. FP3 Begins with Tricky Las Vegas Conditions
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit welcomed drivers with a damp, low-grip surface thanks to earlier rain. The mixture of moisture and cool temperatures made the opening minutes unpredictable. It was clear early on that drivers needed to proceed with caution—and a bit of courage.
2. Early Runs on Intermediates Set the Tone
Oscar Piastri was the first brave soul to venture out on the intermediate tyres, testing the waters—quite literally. His exploratory laps encouraged others to follow, and soon the track buzzed with cars feeling out the grip levels.
3. Piastri and Norris Lead the Early Charge
For a moment, McLaren fans felt hopeful. Piastri topped the charts, only to be replaced by Lando Norris, who clocked a 1m 43.078s. This brief McLaren lead didn’t last, but it showcased just how fast the track was evolving.
4. Albon’s Run-Off Moment at Turn 5
Alex Albon had a heart-in-mouth moment as his Williams slid into the run-off at Turn 5. Thankfully, the escape route did its job, and he recovered safely—but it was an early reminder that the track wasn’t ready to be fully attacked.
5. Tsunoda’s Early Technical Troubles
Yuki Tsunoda, who surprisingly outpaced Verstappen in FP1, was asked to return to the garage due to a technical issue. This early setback derailed his preparation heading into the crucial final hours before qualifying.
6. The Threat of Rain and Strategic Decisions
Just as drivers started settling into a rhythm, Verstappen’s engineer dropped a warning: rain could arrive in 10 minutes. This announcement forced teams to rethink their strategies—stay on inters or risk switching to slicks?
7. First Gamble on Slicks as Track Slowly Dries
Lando Norris became the first to take the gamble, bolting on the soft C5 tyres. His car twitched and danced on the still-damp asphalt, proving the decision wasn’t without its risks. Soon after, Piastri followed suit.
Kimi Antonelli’s race engineer summed it up best:
“The soft tyre looks a million miles off at the moment.”
8. Hamilton Takes Over Before a Near Miss
Lewis Hamilton surged to the top with a 1m 42.809s, but his moment of glory was nearly overshadowed by a close call. At Turn 14, Hamilton narrowly avoided running into the back of Liam Lawson. Race Control reviewed the incident but chose not to investigate further.
9. A Busy Track and Rapidly Changing Times
With 20 minutes remaining, the track grew busier than ever. Alonso, Stroll, Gasly, and Hulkenberg still hadn’t set lap times, while those on track pushed harder as the circuit dried.
10. Verstappen Sets a Strong Benchmark
Entering the final 10 minutes, Verstappen laid down a powerful 1m 35.646s, asserting himself at the top. It looked like another Verstappen FP session in the making—until the field tightened again.
11. Lawson’s Surprise Late Surge
In an unexpected twist, Liam Lawson briefly took P1, beating Verstappen’s time by just 0.009s. His stint at the top was short-lived, but it was one of the standout surprises of FP3.
12. Russell’s Flying Lap Claims P1
Just when the session seemed settled, George Russell delivered a stunning 1m 34.054s, grabbing P1 with authority. His lap was clean, confident, and perfectly timed as grip levels peaked.
13. Verstappen Battles Traffic and Frustration
While Verstappen remained second fastest—0.227s behind Russell—he wasn’t happy. Traffic ruined several of his late push laps, and a trip wide added to his frustration. Even the best need a little luck sometimes.
14. Albon Shines with a P3 Finish
Alex Albon capped off a strong session by taking third place. Given his early scare at Turn 5, this result was a testament to both his skill and the Williams team’s adaptability.
15. Final Classification and McLaren’s Unexpected Struggles
Behind the top three, the order was packed with surprises:
- Hadjar took P4
- Hamilton, Antonelli, and Lawson followed
- Aston Martin’s Stroll and Alonso secured P8 and P9
- Gasly completed the top 10
The shock of the session?
Both McLarens finished P19 and P20.
Technical issues meant neither Norris nor Piastri could set proper laps in the final stages—a disappointing end to what began as a promising session for the papaya team.
Conclusion
FP3 in Las Vegas delivered the perfect mix of unpredictability and excitement. Changing grip levels, sneaky weather threats, and late-session fireworks made this one of the most unpredictable practice hours of the season. With Russell leading the way, Verstappen close behind, and Albon shining in third, qualifying promises to be a thrilling showdown.
FAQs
1. Why were conditions tricky during FP3 in Las Vegas?
Earlier rainfall left the track damp and low on grip, making tyre choices and car control challenging.
2. Why did McLaren finish at the bottom in FP3?
Both cars faced technical issues that prevented them from setting competitive laps late in the session.
3. How did George Russell take P1?
Russell delivered a perfectly timed lap on soft tyres as the track reached peak grip near the end of the session.
4. What frustrated Max Verstappen during FP3?
Verstappen encountered heavy traffic and went wide during his push laps, costing him valuable time.
5. When does qualifying for the Las Vegas GP start?
Qualifying begins at 20:00 local time, setting the stage for an exciting grid battle.
