06:45
Can Russell stand up to Ferrari in Las Vegas?
Although Ferrari arrives as the clear favorite for this type of track, George Russell has a chance of making life difficult for them after taking pole position from Carlos Sainz in an impeccable lap. However, the data suggests that Ferrari continues to have an advantage in race pace, an area where it has been more consistent than in qualifying throughout the season.
The Scuderia, despite its good position, is not guaranteed victory. Sainz will have to make a comeback from second position after losing pole position to Russell, while Leclerc will have to overtake Pierre Gasly, whose Alpine has proven to be surprisingly fast on the long straights of the Las Vegas circuit.
For Charles Leclerc, this race is a chance to redeem himself after missing out on victory last year due to bad luck. On the other hand, Carlos Sainz will seek to close his time at Ferrari with a flourish before his imminent move to Williams.
While Mercedes, with Russell at the helm, does not appear to have the necessary pace to beat Ferrari under normal conditions, the chaos that can always arise in Las Vegas, combined with tire management in the icy conditions of the circuit, could give Russell the opportunity to surprise. Ferrari has the strongest car, but on such an unpredictable track, anything can happen.
06:40
What challenges will the teams face in the race?
The race will last 50 laps in Las Vegas and poses a huge challenge for the teams. The problems with the tires, which were already noticeable during the previous sessions, will be even more evident in the long runs. The combination of extremely low temperatures and the reopening of the urban layout to traffic during the early morning hours contributes to worsening the grip level of the asphalt. However, the main obstacle will be how the teams handle the ‘graining’ in the tires.
06:36
Mercedes left its mark during free practice
George Russell ended up confirming his great form with an impressive performance that secured him pole position, beating Carlos Sainz. In one of the biggest surprises of the day, Pierre Gasly managed to place his Alpine in an outstanding third place, beating Charles Leclerc and the main contenders for the title, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. Once again, the Nevada desert showed that it can always hold unexpected twists in the competition.
06:30
This year’s most curious addition
It is an ice skating rink installed on the roof of the extravagant paddock building. Although it was designed as a recreational activity, it could be a perfect metaphor for the conditions of the 6.2 kilometer track.
As was the case in 2023, the combination of very low-grip asphalt, typical of the busy streets of Las Vegas, and low temperatures close to the freezing point, has posed a real challenge for the teams in terms of engineering. At the same time, drivers have had to deal with constant skidding and juggling to maintain control in these slippery conditions.
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