The 2024 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session provided a thrilling display on the challenging street circuit. Drivers faced tough conditions, including fluctuating temperatures and narrow margins for error. In a stunning performance, George Russell claimed pole position for Mercedes, showing impressive pace despite the tricky circumstances.
On the other hand, Sergio Perez’s difficulties continued as he was eliminated in Q1 for the second time in three races. His lack of grip and overall pace raised concerns about Red Bull’s setup as the team worked to find solutions ahead of the race. Max Verstappen also struggled to achieve the ideal balance in his Red Bull but managed to secure P5, just ahead of Lando Norris. While Verstappen’s qualifying performance was not ideal, his strong race pace could still make him a contender on Sunday. Meanwhile, Christian Horner has opened up about RBR’s technical struggles.
Horner Blames Tyres And Temperatures For An Underwhelming Start To Las Vegas GP
Max Verstappen remained optimistic despite the mixed results from the practice sessions. He acknowledged that while Red Bull wasn’t where it needed to be, many other teams faced challenges. He observed that the car performed better over longer distances, which provided a positive outlook for race day. Verstappen’s focus is clear—if he manages to finish ahead of Lando Norris, he will secure his fourth consecutive world championship this weekend.
Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, also offered insight into the struggles faced during the practice sessions. According to Horner, the critical factors this weekend were the tires and the temperature, with the team struggling to find the right tire window for the short runs. The cold conditions in Las Vegas further complicated matters, affecting the car’s performance. While the car was handling better during the longer runs, there were still other issues to address, but Horner emphasized that these issues seemed similar to those faced by other teams. He pointed out that tire management was a key challenge, particularly for the shorter runs, which led to difficulties in getting the car to perform optimally.
Verstappen ended the first practice session in fifth and dropped to seventeenth in the second practice session, while Sergio Perez finished tenth in FP1 and nineteenth in FP2. With one more practice session remaining before qualifying, Red Bull is under pressure to secure a strong performance to stay competitive in the Constructors’ Championship.
Helmut Marko Backs Max Verstappen To Secure The World Title In Las Vegas
Helmut Marko is confident that Max Verstappen will secure the title in the upcoming race. He believes that Verstappen is currently ahead of Lando Norris, and given that McLaren doesn’t appear to have the pace to challenge Red Bull, Marko expects Verstappen to clinch the championship. The only remaining uncertainty, according to Marko, lies in how well each team manages their tire strategy during the race.
