The Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 qualifying session concluded with George Russell seizing pole position for Mercedes. The event highlighted some fascinating intra-team battles across the Formula 1 grid, with statistical match-ups becoming more pronounced as teams prepare for the penultimate race of the season. With just two qualifying sessions remaining, significant data has been gathered, providing insights into which drivers have outpaced their team-mates on Saturdays throughout the year.
Red Bull Racing: Verstappen Dominates
Max Verstappen continues his qualifying dominance within Red Bull, outqualifying Sergio Perez in 26 of 27 attempts, including sprint sessions. Verstappen’s supreme form was apparent once more in Las Vegas, where he outpaced Perez by 0.856 seconds in Q1. Throughout the season, Verstappen’s decisive margins underscore his stranglehold on the team’s internal competition.
Mercedes: Russell Leading Hamilton
This season, George Russell has edged out Lewis Hamilton in 21 of 27 qualifying sessions. Russell’s knack for consistent speed was on display in Vegas, where he laid down a lap time 0.295 seconds faster than Hamilton in Q3. Russell’s superior qualifying performance has largely propelled Mercedes toward favourable starting positions this season.
Ferrari: Close Contests with Leclerc Leading
At Ferrari, Charles Leclerc holds a slight edge over Carlos Sainz, leading 16 to 10 in head-to-head qualifying sessions. This weekend in Las Vegas, Leclerc once again pipped Sainz to the starting advantage, maintaining his narrow dominance over his team-mate.”
McLaren: Norris Maintains Advantage
Lando Norris has firmly established himself as McLaren’s lead qualifier, besting Oscar Piastri in 21 of the 27 sessions. Norris’s continued excellence was evident at the Las Vegas GP, where he outperformed Piastri by 0.025 seconds in Q3, solidifying his role as McLaren’s reliable frontman on Saturdays.
Aston Martin and Alpine: Alonso and Gasly Prevail
Fernando Alonso leads the internal team battle at Aston Martin with a 19-8 record against Lance Stroll. Similarly, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly has narrowly outqualified Esteban Ocon, with a 12-15 edge that demonstrates the competitive parity between the team-mates. Their head-to-heads have been an interesting subplot this season, as both pairings continue to chase stronger team results.
Important Qualifying Notes
This analysis only accounts for sessions where both drivers completed representative lap times, excluding instances affected by technical issues or on-track incidents. Drivers unable to post competitive times due to mechanical failures or accidents are noted separately to ensure accuracy in the head-to-head statistics.
Impact on Team Strategies for Race Day
The outcomes of these qualifying battles have a direct impact on team strategies heading into race day. The advantage of starting grid position often dictates pit strategies and race approaches, particularly as teams aim to optimise their race outcomes with tactical astuteness. The ability of lead drivers within these duos to secure higher grid positions plays a crucial role in shaping team fortunes in the race that follows.
Looking Forward to the Final Races
As the season draws to a close, these internal team dynamics will continue to evolve. With only two qualifying sessions left, drivers are eager to assert final bragging rights over their team-mates. As these battles unfold, they provide an added layer of intrigue amid the broader championship fights.
