Russell tops final practice Las Vegas after a late surge from Mercedes, with Max Verstappen second and Alex Albon third in a shifting, slippery FP3 session.
Wet start, rapid improvement
The final hour began under damp conditions, so crews initially ran on Intermediates. Consequently, early lap times fell slowly as the circuit cleaned. As the track dried, teams switched strategies and pace rose rapidly.
Traffic and tyre roulette
Drivers fought traffic at the final corners, and several hot laps were compromised. Therefore, timing and clear air proved vital late in the stint. Ultimately, George Russell produced the strongest finish with a final flyer.
Key moments that shaped FP3
First, Oscar Piastri set an early benchmark on inters. Then Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc exchanged quick laps as conditions improved. Later, Verstappen and several others went quicker on softs. However, the fastest runs came in the closing minutes.
McLaren issues and title implications
Notably, both McLaren cars failed to complete competitive qualifying simulations. Consequently, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finished the session down the order with technical problems. That outcome complicates McLaren’s weekend momentum.
Power units and performance
Modern F1 power units remain 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid systems with energy recovery. These power units deliver roughly near-1000 horsepower at peak combined output, enabling extreme acceleration out of slow corners. Moreover, tyre management and ERS deployment shaped lap time gains as the track warmed.
Who surprised and who underdelivered
Williams’ Alex Albon and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar impressed with strong pace. Conversely, McLaren underdelivered during qualifying simulations. Meanwhile, several midfield runners found better balance as track grip improved.
Session takeaway
George Russell ended FP3 fastest with a final lap that topped the times. Max Verstappen shadowed him but lost a late lap to traffic and a damp patch. Alex Albon completed the top three, while Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton showed competitive speed.
Full results , Free Practice 3
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 3 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 4 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 7 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls |
| 8 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
| 11 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 12 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 14 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 15 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 16 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 17 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 18 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 19 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 20 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
Looking ahead to qualifying
Qualifying will demand better tyre choice and cleaner laps. Consequently, teams that timed their runs well should benefit. Equally, McLaren will need to diagnose problems before the knockout sessions start.
Final summary
George Russell led a dynamic FP3 that swung from intermediate runs to late soft-tyre flyers. Verstappen and Albon showed pace, while McLaren’s technical trouble left questions. The session set the stage for an unpredictable qualifying session in Las Vegas.
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Source: FIA