Round 22 of the 2024 Formula 1 season brought the action back to the neon-lit streets of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Returning to the self-styled entertainment capital of the world, Formula 1 hit The Strip for the second time in F1 history, kicking off the first leg of a thrilling triple-header that would close out the 2024 season. With the mathematical possibility of the Drivers’ World Championship being won and the Constructors’ edging closer to a winner, the final Stateside stop of the year promised high-stakes drama under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas.
Race Guide
Race weekend: 21 November 2024 – 23 November 2024
Race date: Saturday, 23 November, 2024
Race start time: 22:00 local time
Circuit: Las Vegas Strip Circuit
Laps: 50
Circuit length: 6.201km
2023 winner: Max Verstappen
| Pole position | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | George Russell | Mercedes | |
| Time | 1:32.312 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver | Lando Norris | McLaren | |
| Time | 1:34.876 on lap 50 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | George Russell | Mercedes | |
| Second | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | |
| Third | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | |
The paddock returned to Las Vegas for the fourth time in F1 history. After hosting two races on a temporary track near Caesars Palace in 1981 and 1982, Grand Prix racing found a new home in 2023, with a circuit incorporating part of the iconic Las Vegas Strip, from which the new race took its name. It also became the third U.S.-based race in 2024, following events in Miami and Austin. At 6.201 kilometres, the Nevada track is the second longest on the calendar, behind Spa-Francorchamps’ 7.004 kilometres. The circuit is a high-speed track with three long straights and top speeds reaching 350 km/h, with Turn 14 in 2023, becoming a prime spot for overtaking.
The 2024 race became the 79th event of the Drivers’ World Championship held in the United States since the series began in 1950. With this milestone, the USA joined Germany and Great Britain in second place for the most Grands Prix hosted, trailing only Italy with 107. Since 1950, the U.S. has featured 11 different venues: Austin (12 races), Dallas (1), Detroit (7), Indianapolis (19), Las Vegas (3), Long Beach (8), Miami (3), Phoenix (3), Riverside (1), Sebring (1), and Watkins Glen (20). And the two drivers tied for the most U.S. Grand Prix wins—Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with six victories each—would both be on the grid in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Ferrari remained the most successful team in U.S. Grand Prix history, boasting 14 victories, including Charles Leclerc’s triumph in Austin last month.
Weekend schedule
| Date | Session | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| 21 November 2024 | Free Practice 1 (FP1) | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm local time |
| 21 November 2024 | Free Practice 2 (FP2) | 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm local time |
| 22 November 2024 | Free Practice 3 (FP3) | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm local time |
| 22 November 2024 | Qualifying | 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm local time |
| 23 November 2024 | Race | 10:00 pm local time |
In Friday qualifying, Mercedes driver George Russell clinched pole position in a thrilling qualifying session, edging Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by just 0.098 seconds. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly delivered a stunning performance to secure third place, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc settled for fourth after a chaotic session. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed fifth, narrowly ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, his rival in the championship battle.
On Saturday, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship with a fifth-place finish at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The race was won by Mercedes’ George Russell, who fended off a strong challenge from teammate Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time champion climbed from 10th on the grid to secure second place.
Verstappen’s finish, behind the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, comfortably sealed his championship. His closest rival, McLaren’s Lando Norris, managed only sixth, leaving a 63-point gap to Verstappen with just 60 points remaining in the season. This title elevated Verstappen into elite company as a four-time champion, joining legends Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. Only Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, and Juan Manuel Fangio now stood ahead of him in the all-time rankings.
Championship background
After its highly anticipated debut on the Formula 1 calendar in 2023, the Las Vegas Grand Prix returned following a two-week break from the previous triple-header, which ended with Max Verstappen‘s spectacular victory in Brazil. That win brought Verstappen to the brink of claiming a fourth consecutive Drivers’ title, but the battle wasn’t over yet. Lando Norris, despite a significant setback at Interlagos, remained determined to keep the championship fight alive. To do so, the Brit would have to finish ahead of Verstappen on The Strip.
Norris had more than just the Drivers’ title in his sights. His McLaren team was locked in an intense Constructors’ Championship battle with Ferrari and Red Bull, adding extra incentive to deliver a strong performance under the Vegas lights.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix shakes up the traditional Formula 1 schedule, with the race set for Saturday night in Sin City instead of a Sunday race. With promises of an even more dazzling spectacle than 2023, the return of Formula 1 to the iconic streets of Las Vegas was not to be missed.
Race entries
Aside from Franco Colapinto, who was now driving for Williams after replacing Logan Sargeant in Round 16, and Liam Lawson in for Daniel Ricciardo after Round 18, all the drivers from the start of the season took to the track during FP1, FP2, FP3, Qualifying, and the Grand Prix.
Tyre choices
Due to the city’s location in the Mojave Desert and the November date, expected air and track temperatures during the race weekend would hover around 10°C.
Pirelli opted for the softest tyre compounds—C3 (Hard marked White), C4 (Medium marked Yellow), and C5 (Soft marked Red)—mirroring last year’s selection. However, as last year, the primary challenge would be tyre warm-up during qualifying and in low-grip conditions. Drivers would need to bring tyres up to temperature without causing overheating or lock-ups, especially at the heavy braking zones at the end of the longest straights. Low temperatures also increase the risk of graining and accelerate tyre wear, making strategy critical.
A two-stop strategy was the most popular choice in 2023 and would likely be the teams’ choice again, though a well-managed one-stop could be competitive if drivers can maintain tyre performance over extended stints. Early pit stops for undercuts are less effective due to warm-up challenges, with a longer initial stint often yielding better results.
In 2023, the most commonly used compounds during the race were Medium and Hard, with most drivers favouring the Medium tyre at the start.
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Free Practice
In FP1, Lewis Hamilton led a Mercedes one-two with teammate George Russell during the first practice session as Formula 1 made its anticipated return to The Strip for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Hamilton clocked a fastest lap of 1:35.001, finishing nearly 0.4 seconds ahead of Russell. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc followed in third and fourth, respectively, each around a second behind the seven-time World Champion.
During FP2, Hamilton topped the timesheets again and reinforced Mercedes’ strong form by setting the fastest lap in the second session in the cool Vegas conditions. Lando Norris came close, just 0.011 seconds behind Hamilton, with George Russell showcasing strong pace throughout the day, finishing third, just 0.190 seconds behind teammate Lewis Hamilton.
In FP3, George Russell set the pace in the final practice session, with Mercedes maintaining their impressive form ahead of qualifying. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took second place, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz splitting the McLaren duo by finishing third, ahead of Lando Norris in fourth.
Full Free Practice Reports
Free Practice 1 Classification
FP1 was held on 21 November 2024, at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm local time.
Free Practice 2 Classification
FP2 was held on 21 November 2024, at 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm local time.
Free Practice 3 Classification
FP3 was held on 22 November 2024, at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm local time.
Qualifying
George Russell delivered a sensational lap to secure pole position for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen bolstered his championship hopes by finishing ahead of Lando Norris.
After Mercedes dominated all three practice sessions, Russell carried the momentum forward, narrowly beating Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by less than a tenth of a second.
Pierre Gasly sprang a surprise for Alpine, claiming third as the evolving track conditions shook up the order in the final moments. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took fourth, just ahead of Red Bull’s Verstappen, who could clinch his fourth consecutive drivers’ title by finishing ahead of Lando Norris in the race. Verstappen edged the McLaren driver, who ended up sixth, in a critical battle that could decide the championship.
Full Qualifying Report
Qualifying Classification
Qualifying was held on 22 November 2024, at 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm local time.
2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Starting Grid
The Grand Prix starting grid, with or without penalties, after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying session.
2Franco Colapinto required to start from the pit lane after car was modified under Parc Ferme conditions and additional gearbox components were used.
What happened in the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive F1 World Championship in Las Vegas, while George Russell showcased a commanding performance to fend off a late surge from Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton and claim the race win.
Verstappen joined the elite club of four-time World Champions by finishing ahead of title rival Lando Norris, ensuring the 2024 Drivers’ Title with two races remaining.
Russell dominated the Grand Prix, delivering Mercedes their first victory in four months. Starting from pole, he maintained control despite early pressure from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and a late challenge from Hamilton, who climbed from 10th on the grid. After 50 laps, Russell celebrated his second win of the season and Mercedes’ first since the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix in July.
Hamilton, finished seven seconds behind, lamented errors during Saturday’s qualifying that relegated him to the fifth row. On a weekend where Mercedes had the fastest car under the lights of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, those mistakes cost him a stronger starting position and, perhaps, a shot at victory.
Starting from fifth on the grid, Max Verstappen quickly climbed to second during the first stint, positioning himself for the championship win. However, Red Bull’s performance waned in the third stint on hard tyres, and Verstappen eventually slipped out of podium contention.
After losing position to Lewis Hamilton shortly after their pit stops, Verstappen, mindful of the bigger title picture, did not defend and was overtaken by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari duo engaged in a fierce intra-team battle, trading places multiple times. Leclerc, who had been ahead before his later pit stop, was visibly frustrated after finishing two seconds behind Sainz, unleashing an expletive-laden tirade over team radio.
Lando Norris’s McLaren struggled for pace and trailed the Ferraris by 10 seconds, leaving Verstappen’s position—and his championship hopes—secure in the final laps. Despite falling to fifth, Verstappen remained comfortably within the points needed to clinch the title.
Meanwhile, Norris, running a distant sixth and effectively isolated on track, opted for a late pit stop for fresh tyres and claimed the race’s fastest lap. While this had no bearing on the drivers’ title, it could prove valuable in McLaren’s bid to overtake Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship.
With Oscar Piastri finishing seventh in the second McLaren, the team’s advantage over Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship has narrowed to 24 points, with just two race weekends remaining in the Middle East.
Reigning Constructors’ champions Red Bull were still mathematically in contention but faced an uphill battle. Trailing by 54 points, their two-year reign could end as soon as the next race unless they could close the gap by at least 10 points in Qatar.
Nico Hulkenberg delivered a solid performance to secure eighth place, helping Haas reclaim sixth in the Constructors’ standings from Alpine. This coming after Alpine’s surprising double podium finish in Brazil. Yuki Tsunoda finished ninth for AlphaTauri, while Sergio Perez rounded out the top 10 in the second Red Bull after starting from 15th on the grid.
2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix race results
The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Race was held on 23 November 2024, at 10:00 pm local time.
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Laps | Time/retired | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 50 | 1:22:05.969 | 25 |
| 2 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 50 | +7.313s | 18 |
| 3 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 50 | +11.906s | 15 |
| 4 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 50 | +14.283s | 12 |
| 5 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 50 | +16.582s | 10 |
| 6 | 4 | Lando Norris1 | McLaren Mercedes | 50 | +43.385s | 9 |
| 7 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 50 | +51.365s | 6 |
| 8 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas Ferrari | 50 | +59.808s | 4 |
| 9 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB Honda RBPT | 50 | +62.808s | 2 |
| 10 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 50 | +63.114s | 1 |
| 11 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 50 | +69.195s | 0 |
| 12 | 20 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas Ferrari | 50 | +69.803s | 0 |
| 13 | 24 | Zhou Guanyu | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 50 | +74.085s | 0 |
| 14 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Williams Mercedes | 50 | +75.172s | 0 |
| 15 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 50 | +84.102s | 0 |
| 16 | 30 | Liam Lawson | RB Honda RBPT | 50 | +91.005s | 0 |
| 17 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine Renault | 49 | +1 lap | 0 |
| 18 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 49 | +1 lap | 0 |
| NC | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 25 | DNF | 0 |
| NC | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 15 | DNF | 0 |
2024 Post-Race F1 Championship Standings
Championship standings for Drivers’ and Teams after the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
2024 Post-Race F1 Drivers’ Championship Standings
| Pos | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | NED | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 403 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren Mercedes | 340 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Ferrari | 319 |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren Mercedes | 268 |
| 5 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Ferrari | 259 |
| 6 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes | 217 |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Mercedes | 208 |
| 8 | Sergio Pérez | MEX | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 152 |
| 9 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Mercedes | 62 |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Haas Ferrari | 35 |
| 11 | Yuki Tsunoda | JPN | RB-Honda RBPT | 30 |
| 12 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | Alpine Renault | 26 |
| 13 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Mercedes | 24 |
| 14 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | Alpine Renault | 23 |
| 15 | Kevin Magnussen | DEN | Haas Ferrari | 14 |
| 16 | Alexander Albon | THA | Williams Mercedes | 12 |
| 17 | Daniel Ricciardo | AUS | RB-Honda RBPT | 12 |
| 18 | Oliver Bearman | GBR | Ferrari / Haas Ferrari | 7 |
| 19 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | Williams Mercedes | 5 |
| 20 | Liam Lawson | NZL | RB-Honda RBPT | 4 |
| 21 | Zhou Guanyu | CHN | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 0 |
| 22 | Logan Sargeant | USA | Williams Mercedes | 0 |
| 23 | Valtteri Bottas | FIN | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 0 |
2024 Post-Race F1 Constructors’ Championship Standings
| Pos | Team | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLaren Mercedes | 608 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 584 |
| 3 | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 555 |
| 4 | Mercedes | 425 |
| 5 | Aston Martin Mercedes | 86 |
| 6 | Haas Ferrari | 50 |
| 7 | Alpine Renault | 49 |
| 8 | RB-Honda RBPT | 46 |
| 9 | Williams Mercedes | 17 |
| 10 | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 0 |
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