On the iconic Las Vegas Strip, Formula 1 delivered yet another thrilling race in the 2024 Formula 1 season. Expectations were high for a strong performance from Mercedes, but the race pace of the Silver Arrows surprised everyone, with George Russell claiming a commanding victory, closely followed by teammate Lewis Hamilton. Behind the dominant Mercedes duo, Ferrari drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc secured third and fourth, respectively, while Max Verstappen sealed his fourth championship. Here’s a breakdown of the pivotal moments from the third-to-last race of the season.
Lewis Hamilton’s Q3 Blunders Set the Stage
It’s been a while since Mercedes showed such commanding form, and even longer since both Silver Arrows were this dominant. Over the weekend, they proved to be highly competitive on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
Qualifying brought unexpected drama: while Russell claimed pole position, Hamilton made two critical errors, relegating him to 10th on the grid. These mistakes effectively ruined the seven-time champion’s chances of fighting for victory.
However, on race day, Lewis Hamilton wasted no time demonstrating his blistering pace. Struggles from other teams on medium tires during the first stint helped Hamilton quickly recover, putting him within striking distance of the podium. Once he caught the Ferraris, Lewis Hamilton overtook them effortlessly, setting his sights on his teammate, who led the race from the start in a clean, risk-free fashion. Lewis Hamilton’s charge ended five seconds behind Russell, who claimed his third career victory and second of the season.
With hindsight, Mercedes’ one-two finish was cause for celebration. Yet Lewis Hamilton’s recovery prompts a lingering question: *What if Lewis hadn’t made those Q3 mistakes?*
Max Verstappen’s Fourth Consecutive Championship
Midway through the season, following Lando Norris’ victory in Miami, many wondered if Max Verstappen’s reign was finally over. McLaren, led by Norris, seemed poised to dominate the remainder of the season and dethrone the Dutchman. However, Norris’ inexperience and Verstappen’s relentless determination and maturity ultimately tilted the scales.
Despite Red Bull’s struggles over several challenging weekends, Verstappen consistently extracted the maximum from his car. The Las Vegas GP was another testament to his growth. Knowing victory was out of reach, Verstappen focused solely on keeping Norris behind him.
From the start, Max Verstappen maintained this disciplined approach, avoiding unnecessary risks and clinching his fourth title. Even more striking was his calm demeanor, exemplified when he asked his race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, whether he should let the Ferraris pass—a moment that highlighted his evolution as a driver. Verstappen’s ability to rise above mistakes and deliver under pressure has solidified his status as a true champion. Unlike last year’s straightforward title win, this year Verstappen demonstrated exceptional skill and resolve, triumphing over faster cars.
Ferrari Tensions Persist Despite Constructor Goals
While Las Vegas celebrated Verstappen’s triumph and Mercedes’ resurgence, Ferrari’s internal struggles were once again in the spotlight. Despite showing progress and closing the gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, team chemistry remains a concern.
At the start, Leclerc surprised both Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly to take second behind Russell. However, Charles Leclerc’s aggressive early attempts to challenge the Mercedes driver resulted in significant tire degradation, costing him positions to Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen.
After the first pit stop, Charles Leclerc seemed faster than Carlos Sainz and requested a position swap, which only happened after a delay of two laps. This hesitation allowed Hamilton, in full “Hammer Time” mode, to overtake both Ferrari cars, leaving them in third and fourth.
During the second pit stop, Ferrari asked Carlos Sainz via radio not to attack Leclerc upon exiting the pits. Sainz, however, ignored the instruction, overtaking his teammate as Leclerc struggled to warm up his tires. Frustrated, Leclerc voiced his displeasure over the radio and revisited the issue in post-race interviews.
Despite these internal tensions, Ferrari made gains in the Constructors’ standings. Their cars showed competitive pace and strong race rhythm. With two races remaining, the Scuderia must unite in pursuit of their season-long objective.
The action now shifts to Losail, Qatar, next Sunday for the penultimate race of one of the most thrilling F1 seasons in history. Ferrari will aim to delay McLaren’s celebrations and, perhaps, spoil the party entirely in Abu Dhabi.
Leave a Reply