The Mercedes Formula 1 team is left “scratching their heads” after Lewis Hamilton led the pack in both practice sessions for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The all-British trio at the top of the timesheets also featured George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris, sparking curiosity around Mercedes’ unexpected performance on the challenging street circuit.
Mystery Speed in Practice Sessions
Despite a slow period mid-season, Mercedes’ practice times were promising. Russell admitted, “Nobody knows quite how the car delivered the pace.” In FP1, Russell trailed Hamilton closely, with Norris stepping in between the Mercedes drivers in FP2. The circuit’s dusty surface might have worked in their favour, yet the team remains unsure of replicating their success as the gripping track evolves throughout the weekend.
Street Track Dynamics
Las Vegas’ glamorous and bustling Strip introduced unique track conditions, with dust from the busy streets adding complexity. Team principal Toto Wolff humorously dubbed Mercedes “dirty track champions,” acknowledging their advantage in less grippy conditions.
While Wolff recognised the performance jump, he was cautious, stating, “I think the gap was pretty big. Maybe we need to spray some dust again for tomorrow to keep that advantage.” However, he remained hopeful that they would not fall behind once the track conditions normalise.
The Competitor Influence
Russell reflected on the potential for other teams holding back during practice. “Our competitors might be running more fuel or saving their high power for when it counts,” he noted, pointing at the historical “sandbagging” tactics. Despite the impressive performance, both Russel and Wolff anticipate a strong challenge from rival teams as they optimise their setups.
Hamilton’s Encouraging Performance
After mixed sentiments from Wolff over Hamilton’s longevity in the Mercedes team, the seven-time world champion’s rapid pace was a reassuring display of his racing prowess. Expressing a cautious confidence, Hamilton said, “I’ve never had a day like that this year. The car felt good in P1, less so in P2, but we’ve work to do overnight.” Hamilton aims to maintain his form as the team continues to adjust and adapt to the track’s developing conditions.
In contrast to previous races, the practice results indicate a fierce battle brewing on the Strip. Mercedes fully intends to carry this momentum into qualifying, determined to defy critics and conventional wisdom with continued competitive performances.
