Las Vegas Grand Prix: An Unexpected Starting Grid Amid Championship Tension

The 2024 Formula One season continues with a surprising lineup for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as George Russell of Mercedes claims pole position. Joining him at the front is Ferrari‘s Carlos Sainz, while Pierre Gasly from Alpine starts in the impressive third position. This unexpected starting arrangement sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling race weekend.

Following these frontrunners down the iconic Las Vegas Strip is Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari. Red Bull‘s Max Verstappen, poised to potentially secure his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship, begins the race from fifth. His closest competitor, McLaren‘s Lando Norris, starts closely behind in sixth place.

An excellent qualifying performance by Yuki Tsunoda places him in seventh, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg of Haas, with Lewis Hamilton rounding out the top ten. Hamilton encountered issues in Q3, resulting in a rare misstep that cost the Mercedes driver a chance at pole position.

The qualifying results also highlighted mixed fortunes for some teams. Zhou Guanyu of Kick Sauber starts at a promising 13th despite a challenging session for teammate Valtteri Bottas, placed at the back. Between them, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez lines up in 15th after another underwhelming outing.

Franco Colapinto, after recovering from a severe 50G crash during qualifying, is cleared to race but will start from the pit lane. «I’m all good, fully recovered. The most important thing is that the car is back in one piece,» he stated, echoing relief about both his health and the team’s efforts.

The Las Vegas event is set against a backdrop of organizational changes and rising tensions between F1 drivers and the sport’s governing body, the FIA. Recently, the FIA announced the unexpected departure of race director Niels Wittich, with Rui Marques stepping in at this critical juncture. This change comes amid unresolved controversies concerning driver conduct and governance.

Pirelli, the official tire supplier, anticipates challenging conditions due to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit’s length and the cooler night-time temperatures, predicting temperatures to drop as low as 10°C (50°F). This could influence team strategies, with Pirelli advising a potential two-stop strategy for the race.

Max Verstappen enters the Grand Prix with strong odds, reflecting his recent return to form. However, the qualifying results have altered betting expectations, placing Ferrari’s drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz as co-favorites for the race win. With George Russell also in favorable contention from pole position, the field is set for a gripping contest.

As the countdown begins, anticipation builds not only for the racing spectacle but also for the city’s exuberant atmosphere, with iconic figures like celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay hosting exclusive events as part of the Grand Prix’s allure.