Mercedes roared into the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend with an unexpected show of dominance, leaving even their own drivers bewildered.
Lewis Hamilton topped both practice sessions on Thursday night, with George Russell hot on his heels in second and third. After a tough outing in Sao Paulo, the Brackley-based team’s impressive performance on the Strip Circuit has raised eyebrows across the paddock.
Russell, candid about the team’s confusion, admitted, “Incredible day. I’d love to tell you why… we are scratching our heads a little bit.” While Hamilton’s commanding performance set the tone, Russell emphasized that the car felt unusually strong on the brand-new street track.
However, Russell remained cautious, pointing to the ever-evolving track conditions. “Because we were fast today, it doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to replicate it tomorrow,” he warned, noting how much faster the circuit will become as it cleans up and rubber is laid down.
The strong showing has defied recent trends for Mercedes, which often starts Fridays quick only to see rivals close the gap as the weekend progresses. Russell dismissed the notion that Mercedes “loses” performance, instead attributing competitors’ gains to sandbagging during practice.
Despite this, the substantial margin Mercedes enjoyed on Thursday gives hope for a competitive weekend. “The gap we showed this morning and this evening has been pretty substantial,” Russell said. “I just hope we can continue the form.”
The unexpected pace has set the stage for a dramatic showdown as the rest of the grid scrambles to catch up. Whether Mercedes can maintain this edge into qualifying and the race remains the weekend’s biggest question.
