The glittering streets of Las Vegas set the stage for George Russell to achieve his first full-fledged Formula 1 victory of 2024, delivering a masterclass in precision and pace. Starting from pole, the 26-year-old Brit left no room for doubt, crossing the finish line over seven seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton, who charged from P10 to secure a stunning one-two for the Silver Arrows.
“Russell’s Redemption: From Disqualification to Victory”
For Russell, the triumph in Las Vegas marked sweet redemption after his Belgian GP heartbreak, where he was disqualified for a technical infringement despite crossing the line first.
“To win in Las Vegas feels incredible!” Russell said in a post-race press release. “We had great pace throughout, led almost every lap, and finished with a one-two. It was almost a perfect weekend.”
The Mercedes driver highlighted Hamilton’s performance as pivotal, calling it “fantastic” as his teammate clawed his way through the field to join him on the podium.
“Verstappen Makes History Amid Mercedes Glory”
While Mercedes basked in their victory, the spotlight quickly shifted to Max Verstappen, who officially secured his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship by finishing ahead of Lando Norris in Las Vegas.
The Dutchman’s relentless consistency throughout the season—despite facing stiff challenges and a four-month winless streak—cemented his place among the sport’s greats. With 63 points separating Verstappen and Norris, no mathematical scenario can now dethrone the Red Bull ace.
“It wasn’t my best season,” Verstappen admitted post-race, “but to still come out on top after all the challenges is incredibly rewarding.”
“Constructors’ Championship Heats Up”
The Constructors’ Championship remains wide open, with McLaren leading Ferrari by just 24 points, while Red Bull lags a further 30 points behind. Mercedes’ resurgence places them firmly in P4, but their dominant Las Vegas performance has sparked hope for a stronger 2025 campaign.
“A Night to Remember for Mercedes”
Russell’s jubilation extended beyond the track as he canceled his post-race plans to celebrate the milestone with the team.
“I was meant to fly out tonight, but that’s not going to happen now!” Russell beamed. “We will enjoy this night as a team because everyone deserves it.”
Despite the celebratory mood, Russell emphasized the importance of understanding why Mercedes excelled so dominantly at Las Vegas to replicate the performance in the final two races.
“Next Stop: Qatar”
With just two races remaining, all eyes now turn to the Qatar GP on December 1, where the battle for Constructors’ supremacy intensifies. Will McLaren maintain their narrow lead, or will Ferrari and Red Bull mount a late-season charge? And can Mercedes sustain their newfound momentum?
One thing is certain: the 2024 season is going out with a bang.
