Excitement reached fever pitch on the glittering streets of Las Vegas as the third and final free practice session offered fans a stunning preview of what’s to come in one of Formula 1’s most eagerly anticipated new venues. With its unique combination of long straights, deceptively technical corners, and the neon-lit backdrop, the Las Vegas Grand Prix continues to deliver a spectacle unlike any other. As session three wrapped up, the paddock buzzed with speculation and drama, keeping the eyes of the world firmly fixed on Sin City.
The performance of the leading teams told a fascinating story. Red Bull, who have often dominated practice at new circuits, encountered fierce competition here. Max Verstappen, ever the perfectionist, pushed the RB20 to its limits but found himself facing fresh challenges from both Ferrari and Mercedes. The track surface—still relatively green despite sustained running—posed issues with grip, leading to unpredictable lap times and several heart-stopping slides. For Verstappen and his rivals, it was a crucial opportunity to gather last-minute data and hone their setups ahead of qualifying.
Meanwhile, Ferrari continued their fine run of form, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz showing impressive pace. The Scuderia’s ability to get tire temperatures in the working window quickly gave them an early edge, especially on low-fuel, qualifying-style runs. However, as was seen in previous sessions, tire degradation promises to be a massive talking point for the race, with teams scrutinizing each long run for clues on how best to manage stints in the Nevada night air.
Elsewhere, Mercedes looked determined to rebound from a tricky Friday. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell methodically worked through aerodynamic tweaks and run plans throughout the hour, steadily climbing the timesheets and closing the gap to their Italian and Austrian rivals. The Silver Arrows appeared especially strong in the slower sections—the chicane complex and final sector—where their car’s balance was noticeably superior. Yet, question marks still hang over their straight-line speed, a critical asset on this high-velocity Las Vegas circuit.
Beyond the headline-grabbing teams, the midfield ranks provided their own brand of theatre. McLaren’s Lando Norris thrilled fans by threading his papaya orange car through traffic with trademark precision, while rookie Oscar Piastri continued to impress with his calm and composed approach. Alpine, Aston Martin, and Williams all benefited from the evolving grip levels, with several drivers sneaking into the top ten as the session wore on. Notably, several dramatic moments were triggered by the bumps and cambers of the temporary street layout, forcing drivers to the limits of their talent—and sometimes beyond.
Reliability also played its part; a sprinkling of technical gremlins surfaced in the desert heat. Both Haas and Alfa Romeo encountered issues that limited their running, fueling anxiety in the garages as every lap counts dearly when learning a brand-new circuit. The pressure is redoubled here in Las Vegas, where the margin for error is razor thin and any misstep in practice can have repercussions all weekend long.
As the sun set behind the hotels and casinos, anticipation built to a crescendo. The track’s evolving grip, the close competition among the top teams, and the unpredictability introduced by the stop-start nature of a street race combine to set the stage for a truly magnificent qualifying and race. Fans and teams alike are braced for surprises, strategic gambles, and possibly a shake-up to the established order.
With the world of motorsport watching, the drivers have one more shot at extracting every millisecond from their machines before the lights go out in this high-stakes extravaganza. As Formula 1 continues its bold expansion into new and glamorous territories, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is shaping up to be a marquee event—one where the action off the track promises to be rivalled only by the drama on it.
