George Russell beat Max Verstappen to the fastest lap in final F1 Las Vegas GP practice as both McLarens finished at the bottom of the timesheets.
The session unfolded on a wet track due to earlier rain, necessitating all drivers to start on intermediate tires and adapt fast to the slick track as it gradually dried under Las Vegas’ sharply fluctuating weather conditions.
From the outset, the track was slippery and unpredictable, leading to several drivers cautiously exploring the limits.
Oscar Piastri initially showed impressive pace and seized the early lead with a strong lap time of 1:43.8, outpacing experienced drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
However, as the session progressed and the surface improved, lap times dropped significantly but track conditions remained tricky, with Alex Albon falling victim to a spin and off-track excursion at Turn 5.
Mid-session, the McLaren team experienced notable challenges. Lando Norris was the first to make the risky switch to slick tires on a still damp track, but the gamble did not pay off as he struggled with rear instability through several corners.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri suffered a lock-up that forced him to ease off his pace, dropping down the order.
Both McLarens eventually returned to the garages with mechanical issues; Norris’ car was declared electrically unsafe, leaving the team unable to service it further, while Piastri’s telemetry problems compounded their troubles, resulting in both cars finishing at the bottom of the grid.
This was a stark contrast to their earlier performances in the weekend, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Las Vegas’ track conditions.
As the track dried further, slick tire times began to dominate with Max Verstappen boosting Red Bull’s hopes by setting an early benchmark lap of 1:35.646, holding the top spot for a significant portion of the session.
However, Verstappen’s final flying lap was compromised by an over-enthusiastic approach that forced him to run wide at a key corner, losing precious time.
Seizing the moment, George Russell delivered a masterclass lap on his soft tires, clocking a 1:34.054 which secured him the fastest time in FP3 by nearly a quarter of a second.
Full 2025 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix FP3 Results
Lando Norris snatches F1 Las Vegas GP pole from Max Verstappen in wet qualifying
The late surge by Russell solidified Mercedes’ competitive edge heading into qualifying, showcasing their adaptability and pace in evolving conditions.
Behind the top two, Williams’ Alex Albon secured a satisfying third place with a time of 1:34.875, displaying smooth management of the changing grip levels.
Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar impressed by finishing close behind in fourth, while Lewis Hamilton kept Ferrari competitive in fifth place.
Meanwhile, Russell’s Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli demonstrated strong form with a sixth-place finish, followed by Liam Lawson, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, and Pierre Gasly who rounded out the top ten.
Oliver Bearman was just behind in 11th, followed by Carlos Sainz, Gabriel Bortoleto and Esteban Ocon in the second Haas car.
Charles Leclerc could only manage 15th as Franco Colapinto followed in 16th, with Nico Hulkenberg 17th, and Yuki Tsunoda 18th.
The two McLarens were condemned to bottom of the pack, with Oscar Piastri 19th and Lando Norris 20th after opting to forego much track time as the track sufficiently dried.
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