George Russell topped final practice at the Las Vegas Grand Prix as Mercedes continued to show impressive pace ahead of qualifying.
After Russell’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton topped both practices a day earlier, Mercedes were strong again as the pair spent much of the session at the top of timesheet before the former emerged fastest from a flurry of laps in the closing stages cut short by a red flag.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was second, two places ahead of team-mate Lando Norris, with the pair split by the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz.
Having been left frustrated by his struggles for much of the session, Max Verstappen provided a boost to his hopes of sealing the world championship this weekend by showing improved late pace to take fifth.
Verstappen could win his fourth successive drivers’ title with two races to spare by simply finishing ahead of Norris in the race, while the Dutchman would also be crowned if he avoided losing three points or more to the McLaren driver.
Hamilton, who failed to deliver a clean lap time on his new soft tyres at the end of the session, was sixth but had appeared very evenly matched with Russell throughout.
The extraordinary nature of the event, which sees Las Vegas’ famous Strip shut down in the evenings to allow F1 to take over, results in the circuit being much extremely dirty by the sport’s usual standards.
With the issue exacerbated by a lack of support events, which would usually lead to rubber being laid down on the surface, the track is improving rapidly throughout every session.
That situation was playing out once more in the closing stages of the session when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll experience a technical failure that saw him stop on track with six minutes to go.
A red flag was thrown to allow his car to be safely cleared, which only left time for the drivers to re-emerge from the pit lane to conduct practice starts in the closing moments.
Sky Sports F1’s live Las Vegas GP schedule
Saturday November 23
5am: Las Vegas GP Qualifying build-up*
6am: LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
8am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday November 24
4.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Las Vegas GP build-up*
6am: THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX*
8am: Chequered Flag: Las Vegas GP reaction*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 returns with the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1 where Max Verstappen could seal the championship. Stream the final three F1 races and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
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