Lando Norris discusses the "surprising" difficulties McLaren faced on Friday in Las Vegas, admitting, "I'm not very good at it."

Lando Norris expressed that his McLaren car performed "shockingly" when running on high fuel, even though he finished Friday's practice for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix with the second-best time.

Norris, aiming to maintain his championship aspirations by outscoring his competitor Max Verstappen by a minimum of three points this weekend, finished the second practice session only 0.011 seconds behind Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes.

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Yet, even though Norris found McLaren's single-lap speed promising during the qualifying simulations, he remains worried about the car's race speed due to issues with tyre graining.

"It was average. In my opinion, the performance with low fuel was fine. However, with high fuel, it was quite surprising, so there are many aspects that need to be examined," Norris stated.

Mixing these elements and dealing with challenges like front graining is something I find quite difficult. It's consistently a challenge for me.

"There was plenty of time to focus on it. Essentially, it was split into two parts: one involving efficient low fuel performance and the other dealing with challenging high fuel conditions."

When questioned about whether managing graining comes down to small details, Norris replied: "It can be. If I knew the solution, I'd likely implement it."

"Although I'm aware of it, taking action remains challenging for me, as it is consistently a struggle."

"I plan to investigate the issue and determine what can be done. Currently, I can prioritize addressing high fuel concerns over low fuel ones, but achieving a good qualifying position up front is always beneficial for overall performance."

"There are many aspects to examine this evening."

The 25-year-old from Britain expressed that, due to the lack of grip on the Las Vegas track, he believed he could go faster in a regular road car than in his Formula 1 vehicle.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. While on location, he provides reports on the happenings and shares narratives about key figures in the sport.

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Dismissed F1 racer recommended as ideal substitute for Damon Hill on Sky Sports

Daniel Ricciardo proposed as a potential replacement for Damon Hill on Sky Sports F1.

Johnny Herbert is of the opinion that Daniel Ricciardo, who was recently let go, would perfectly fill Damon Hill's shoes at Sky Sports F1.

Hill, who clinched the world championship in 1996 and has significantly contributed to Sky's analysis team since they acquired the Formula 1 broadcasting privileges in the UK in 2012, surprisingly revealed his exit after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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Ex-Formula 1 driver Herbert believes that now that Ricciardo's career in grand prix racing seems to have come to an end, following his replacement at Red Bull by Liam Lawson, Sky should consider offering him a position on their TV team.

"Herbert mentioned to FlashscoreUSA.com that he would choose Daniel Ricciardo to be part of the F1 Sky team."

"His background is rich with experience, complemented by a charismatic smile and a camera-friendly presence. He's widely liked, possesses a pleasant personality, and excels at communicating his vast experiences."

"He's experienced both highs and lows. Those stories are exactly what folks are eager to listen to. Adding Daniel would indeed be beneficial."

Herbert disclosed that Hill was discontent with the maltreatment he faced on online platforms following recent disapproval of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

"Herbert revealed that since his start in 2012, Damon Hill has consistently questioned his involvement in punditry."

"Annually, he expressed uncertainty about repeating it, yet for 12 consecutive years, he returned! Honestly, it's unclear if it was his own choice or Sky's."

"Could it have been about pleasure? It's possible. He faced backlash for his comments regarding Max, and perhaps he thought, ‘I really don’t need this hassle.’ With the transformations occurring, if he was indeed compelled to leave, it raises questions about what might be in store for Martin Brundle and David Croft."

He was deeply distressed by the intense backlash he received for his remarks about Max. Damon, who has a son with Down's Syndrome, is actively involved with the Halow Project. Much of the hostility directed at me for my critique of Max's driving originated from social media accounts associated with the charity, which was absurd.

"Individuals targeted me via the Halow charity's Instagram page. Perhaps the onslaught of negative feedback influenced his decision. Detractors also leveraged the BRDC's account to criticize me regarding time penalties, the qualifying round in Brazil, and beginning the race from a lower position. Accusations were made against us for showing favoritism towards Max."

Lewis frequently covers Grands Prix globally for Crash.net. Typically delivering reports directly from the event locations, he shares the narratives of the significant figures within the sport.

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Significant Progress for Potential 11th Formula 1 Team by 2026

A new F1 team might soon join the grid.

The likelihood of another Formula 1 team joining the lineup has "significantly risen," as reported by the Associated Press.

According to a report, the protracted effort by Andretti to become the 11th team in Formula 1 might receive approval in the next few weeks.

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Dan Towriss, who holds the majority ownership of the Andretti organization, is attending the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend amid intensifying discussions.

According to an AP report, Andretti's prospects of entering Formula 1 have increased following a company reorganization that reduced the involvement of Michael Andretti, who is the son of former F1 champion Mario Andretti.

According to the report, discussions have increased following the reduction of his position.

With Michael Andretti no longer at the helm, the team might be rebranded under the name of General Motors, the corporation that presently supports Andretti.

Cadillac might serve as the engine supplier starting in 2026.

Las Vegas has become a significant event in the Formula 1 schedule, marking its return after a highly awaited revival last year, as the sport continues to grow its presence in the United States.

However, Haas is the sole team that receives support from the United States.

Despite their efforts to join the championship earlier this year, Andretti was unable to secure the backing of the current 10 Formula 1 teams.

This is even though the FIA has given their entry the green light

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was questioned regarding the seemingly altered position on adding an 11th team to the Formula 1 grid.

Wolff informed the Associated Press that they have a legal responsibility as board members to advocate for what benefits the company and its staff the most, and they have fulfilled this duty.

"If a team can enhance their championship status, especially if General Motors enters the scene as a team owner, that's a whole different scenario."

"As long as it fosters creativity and boosts the sport's popularity and revenue, no team will oppose it. I'm hopeful about that."

"Nobody from Andretti, Andretti Global, or any future name of the organization has ever discussed with me any details about their creative vision."

"However, the teams don't have to make a decision since they aren't responsible for it. The decision is made by the commercial rights holder along with the FIA, and we are not involved."

"When I want to get an invitation to a party and attend it, I make it a point to sit with the group and share who I am. I explain why I'm enjoyable company and assure them that everyone will appreciate having me there."

"That hasn't occurred, but in my opinion, and this is just my personal perspective rather than a professional one, there's nothing within our power to do or say about it."

"I don't know the individuals involved. While I've talked to Mario, I haven't had any conversations with his son or anyone else associated with them. I'm not familiar with who they are. However, I do know GM and have a high opinion of them."

For ten years, James worked as a sports journalist at Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of topics including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Max Verstappen claims that Red Bull's failure to produce a low-drag rear wing has led them to lose two races, particularly impacting their performance in Las Vegas.

Max Verstappen believes that Red Bull has wasted two race weekends by choosing not to introduce a low-drag rear wing for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen secured the fifth position in the qualifying rounds for Sunday's grand prix, positioning himself just ahead of his competitor, Lando Norris. To clinch his fourth world championship title, Verstappen needs to ensure that Norris doesn't outscore him by more than two points. Meanwhile, Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, was eliminated in the first qualifying session, ending up in 16th place.

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Following the qualifying session, Verstappen concentrated on Red Bull's lag in straight-line speed when compared to their competitors. This shortcoming arose because the team lacked a specialized low-drag rear wing, which is essential for high-speed circuits such as Las Vegas and Monza.

"We decided against creating a rear wing with low drag," Verstappen mentioned to the press, including Motorsport Week, during an event in Las Vegas.

"We don't possess one. This situation has been ongoing since 2022. I believe it never crossed our minds that it would deplete to such an extent. Given the budget constraints, we had to set our priorities and accordingly made adjustments."

"Absolutely, I would have preferred a wing with less downforce. Alternatively, a different design that is more efficient would have been ideal."

"However, it's an issue we'll consider. Yet, there's just one year remaining under the current regulations."

"I'm not sure if it sounds logical, but from my perspective, it seems like we waste two race weekends in situations like this since we end up losing significant time on the straights."

When questioned about the areas where he was losing time, Verstappen clarified: "It's happening both in the corners and on the straight sections. We understand that our wing design inherently decreases our top speed, particularly when the DRS is activated. It's somewhat of a disadvantage."

"We were aware of the challenges that come with racing on a circuit like Monza. Additionally, we consistently found it difficult to get the tyres to perform optimally."

"I believe we made the most of our qualifying session given our resources, which resulted in a P5 finish. We were somewhat fortunate because Lewis didn't complete a lap; otherwise, we would have been P6. I feel we truly optimized our performance."

Lewis frequently travels worldwide to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. By providing on-the-ground coverage, Lewis shares insights and narratives about the key figures in the sport.

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Jenson Button reignites discussion on Lewis Hamilton's age and reflex speed

"It's possible there's a slight decline…"

Jenson Button has suggested that Lewis Hamilton's less-than-stellar qualifying performance this season might be due to his advancing age.

Hamilton trails behind his teammate George Russell 16-5 in Formula 1 qualifying sessions this season, with three races remaining.

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This indicates that, for only the second time during his 12-year tenure with Mercedes, he will be outperformed by a colleague in direct qualifying comparisons this season.

Former McLaren co-driver Button emphasized that qualifying has historically been one of Hamilton's strong suits.

However, Button conveyed to Sky Sports, "He's nearing 40. Perhaps there's a slight decline."

"You're competing with individuals in their twenties. Regardless of how sharp your reflexes might be, they won't match up to those of someone in their twenties."

"It's possible to lose that minor advantage which may not be apparent during a race, but it becomes more challenging in qualifying."

"It is painful to witness the younger drivers not only displaying speed during qualifying rounds, but also maintaining a consistent performance throughout."

The Mercedes team's drivers are feeling hopeful as they look forward to Saturday's F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In both of Friday's practice rounds, Hamilton came out on top, followed by Russell who secured

However, Mercedes has faced challenges this season, with their competitive edge waning as the race weekend progresses.

During the previous race in Brazil, Hamilton did not make it past the first round of qualifying due to rainy conditions. Subsequently, he ended up in 10th place in the grand prix.

He made a comeback in Vegas, confessing that during the low point following his disappointing performance in Brazil, he had the urge to quit.

Button expressed his delight at Hamilton leading Friday's practice session in Vegas, stating, "I'm truly pleased he's participating, and I'm confident we'll witness Lewis at his peak."

However, it's uncertain if he will be able to outperform his teammate Russell for just the sixth time out of 17 qualifying attempts.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he reported on a wide range of sports, including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Max Verstappen admits that Red Bull is not performing well in Las Vegas. He notes that the team is having difficulties with their speed over a single lap.

Max Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull is "not very close" in terms of speed for a single lap following the Friday practice session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Formula 1.

The current world champion from Red Bull concluded the initial practice session in 17th place. His teammate, Sergio Perez, finished in 19th. Both drivers faced challenges throughout the two-hour session, especially with maintaining grip.

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Although Max Verstappen was two seconds slower than Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, he differed from his competitors by not using the soft tire for a lap in the qualifying simulation sessions.

"The track conditions were slick, and we had significant difficulty getting the tires to perform, particularly on a single lap," Verstappen stated.

"The extended race began with a touch more competition, although I believe there's still room for some adjustments. However, our speed over a single lap is significantly lacking."

"Certainly, the conditions here are unusual and extremely chilly. However, ultimately, everyone is facing the same circumstances, so we must work to identify and correct our current mistakes."

The driver from the Netherlands remarked, "The car's balance isn't really the issue; the main problem is the lack of traction. It feels like I'm driving on ice right now."

Christian Horner, the head of the Red Bull team, mentioned that the way the tires perform in the cooler weather conditions in Las Vegas is becoming a "crucial factor."

Horner stated that the key factors are the tires and the temperatures.

"In the short term, we weren't in the right zone with the tires, so we couldn't get them to function properly."

"Over time, the car is functioning well, although we have a few additional problems to address, which seem to be akin to the challenges others are facing. However, in the short term, we struggled to get the tires to perform optimally."

Verstappen is set to secure his fourth consecutive world championship title this weekend if he ends the race ahead of Lando Norris, or if Norris gains no more than two points over him.

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He is often present at the events, providing firsthand reports and sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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The moment of uncertainty that George Russell worried might have ruined his pole position opportunity occurred in Las Vegas.

George Russell was concerned that his opportunity to secure the top spot at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix was lost after he collided with the wall during the qualifying session.

Following his leading performance in Q1 and finishing second to his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton in Q2, Russell clinched pole position during Q3 with a stunning final lap, narrowly beating Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

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However, the session was anything but simple for Russell, as he had to replace his front wing following an encounter with the wall during his initial attempt. The British driver confessed that he was worried his qualifying could have ended prematurely.

Russell expressed his excitement about securing pole position again, saying, "It's an amazing feeling to be back on top. Our speed has been impressive throughout the weekend, and I had a strong sense that the final Q3 lap would be the decisive one. The previous laps didn't matter in comparison."

During my initial run, I encountered a brief issue that required us to replace the front wing. For a moment, I was worried we wouldn't finish in time, but now I'm just really thrilled.

He remarked, "In the end, you have to take a chance occasionally, and I believed in my abilities. I was sure that if I completed a flawless lap, it would be sufficient to guarantee a spot in the front row."

"Securing pole position is amazing. Our next step is to turn it into a victory."

Russell admitted that he remains uncertain about the reason behind Mercedes' strong performance throughout the weekend in Las Vegas.

"I have to admit, it's been quite unexpected for everyone involved," he remarked. "We definitely need to take a closer look at this situation since this track is quite unusual."

"We haven't made any special preparations just for Las Vegas, yet somehow, the circumstances and the setup are benefiting us. I'm a bit puzzled as to why this is happening."

"For now, we're sticking with it, but as I mentioned, being fast in Las Vegas is unique due to the nature of the track. It's important for us to analyze this. Additionally, one of our other pole positions was in Canada, which also features cold and street-like conditions, indicating a slight pattern."

Lewis frequently travels to global Grand Prix events as a correspondent for Crash.net. He provides on-the-scene coverage, sharing the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Claims emerge of Lewis Hamilton expressing doubts

"Ferrari's performance on the track this season has been remarkable"

Lewis Hamilton's optimistic outlook couldn't hide the "doubt in his tone," he has been informed.

The driver from Mercedes led the way in both of the Friday practice rounds at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

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George Russell secured the second position, followed by a third-place finish, marking a successful outing for Toto Wolff's squad.

Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his W15, but noted, "let's wait and see if the car performs consistently tomorrow."

Danica Patrick from Sky Sports commented, "There was a noticeable hint of doubt in his tone."

"They've never truly mastered control of this vehicle."

"I'm eager to witness him conclude on a high note with Mercedes."

"He discussed their speed during the race. However, he can anticipate that Ferrari's performance in races this year has been remarkable."

As someone who competes, the ability to switch off simply doesn't exist at any point.

"His joy was evident even on a mere practice day. For a driver, every rehearsal is significant."

"Hopefully, that advantage remains with them throughout the weekend. As experienced drivers who rarely err, this could work in their favor over the weekend."

Hamilton has only three more races left before he transitions from Mercedes to Ferrari.

Over the last three years, Hamilton has struggled to compete for an F1 championship because his equipment has not been up to standard.

Despite his comeback to victory at Silverstone this season, he is set to begin anew with Ferrari in 2025, aiming for an unprecedented eighth championship title.

Currently, he's in a strong position to aim for the lead at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, having achieved the quickest time in the practice sessions.

Jenson Button remarked, "They're just as astonished as everyone else, especially with the outcomes of the recent few races."

In Austin, they demonstrated remarkable speed on Friday but were completely absent on Saturday.

"The conditions in Vegas, including the track, temperature, and pavement, are unique."

"I believe they'll be contenders. The battle at the forefront will involve around four or five cars vying for the top spot."

In practice, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Carlos Sainz secured the top five positions, whereas the pair of Red Bull racers lagged behind, which was not typical for them.

On Friday, Max Verstappen finished in 17th place while Sergio Perez came in 19th.

For ten years, James served as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, where he covered a wide array of sports including American leagues, soccer, and Formula 1 racing.

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Pierre Gasly shares insights into Alpine's remarkable qualifying performance. In Las Vegas, Gasly achieved the best qualifying result for Alpine this F1 season, marking a personal career milestone.

Pierre Gasly attributed his strong performance at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he achieved Alpine's top qualifying position of the season, to an "aggressive" car set-up.

The French driver caused a major surprise by securing third position on the starting grid, trailing only behind George Russell from Mercedes and Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, after delivering an impressive performance in the Q3 session.

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This was not only the highest qualifying position Pierre Gasly has achieved since he began his Formula 1 career in 2017, but it also represented the best showing for Alpine this season. It surpassed the earlier top performance by his teammate Esteban Ocon, who had previously secured a P4 in a rain-soaked qualifying session in Brazil.

"It's unbelievable because it's the first time this has happened. To be honest, we didn't expect to secure a spot in the top three during the qualifying," Gasly mentioned.

"The lap was amazing, particularly on this circuit where you're constantly close to the walls throughout – it was full of adrenaline and very thrilling."

"Upon completing the lap, I sensed it was a strong performance, but hearing over the radio that I'd be starting third tomorrow was simply incredible. I'm absolutely thrilled."

When questioned about the strength of his car in Las Vegas, Gasly explained: "We opted for a particularly bold setup concerning downforce, which means we're using minimal downforce on this circuit."

"We aim to optimize the straight sections, which naturally makes navigating the corners a bit more difficult for us. However, it's undoubtedly a demanding circuit. The weather is quite chilly, making it a unique challenge compared to other races in the season."

"I felt comfortable in the car starting from the first practice session. The second practice session was successful, and the third one also turned out well. During the final qualifying session, we succeeded in performing well with just one set of new tires. Our speed was definitely impressive."

"At the moment, I'm really happy. Even though it's just the qualifying round, I believe this is the first time I've secured a spot in the top three. It definitely feels like a significant achievement."

Following a surprising double podium finish in Brazil, Alpine has managed to pull three points ahead of Haas in the constructors’ championship. This puts the French team in a position to solidify their hold on sixth place even further.

However, Gasly remains cautious and is not allowing himself to become overly optimistic about the prospect of securing another podium finish.

"I'm not really focused on that right now," he asserted. "I believe we understand our goal. We're in competition with Haas and AlphaTauri for the constructors' championship."

"Clearly, the outcome of that qualifying session was incredible. It's satisfying to be ahead of Max, McLaren, and the others. However, ultimately, that’s not our main competition. We'll put forth our best effort in the race tomorrow."

"It's tough dealing with the graining issue here, so we'll be diligent in our preparations tonight to boost our opportunities for tomorrow. Starting from P3 definitely enhances our prospects of scoring valuable points."

Lewis is a frequent presence at international Grands Prix events for Crash.net. As an on-site reporter, he often shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Christian Horner has suggested that Red Bull might consider replacing Sergio Perez, indicating a potential change in their driver roster ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Christian Horner has hinted at the possibility of Red Bull altering their Formula 1 driver roster ahead of the 2025 season.

Sergio Perez has a contract for the upcoming season after agreeing to an extension earlier this year, yet his future is uncertain because he keeps falling short compared to his teammate Max Verstappen.

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As early as this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen has the opportunity to clinch his fourth consecutive drivers' world title. Meanwhile, Red Bull is facing a challenging battle to retain their constructors' championship title.

In the last 15 races, Perez has managed to score just 48 points, while Red Bull has fallen to third place in the constructors' championship. They trail McLaren, the current leaders, by 49 points, with only three races left in the season.

Red Bull's team boss, Horner, has stood by Perez in the past, but he acknowledged that the team "urgently requires" the Mexican driver to improve his performance.

"Sergio is our driver, and our goal is to maximize his performance," Horner mentioned to the official Formula 1 channel. "He has faced a challenging period in terms of his form in recent weeks and months."

"From the perspective of the team, it's crucial for us to have both vehicles performing at the top level as a duo, which hasn't been the case so far. Therefore, we're really hoping Checo can deliver impressive results in these final three races."

"However, it's impossible for us to secure the constructors' championship without having that."

Red Bull might choose to elevate either Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson from their affiliated team, RB. Additionally, Franco Colapinto, who is temporarily driving for Williams, has been suggested as a potential candidate to take Perez's place.

Horner mentioned that Red Bull has the liberty to postpone their final decision until just before the start of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, if necessary.

He stated that they have a clear understanding of the contract situations for all their drivers.

"If we wanted to, we could delay the decision until the Melbourne event next year since our drivers are already contracted."

"However, by year's end, we will review all the data at our disposal."

Lewis frequently travels worldwide to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He usually provides on-the-scene updates, sharing the experiences and perspectives of key figures in the racing community.

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Why Formula 1 Drivers Are Already Praising the New Race Director

The newly appointed Formula 1 race director, Rui Marquez, has quickly garnered a favorable reaction from the drivers.

George Russell and Carlos Sainz have praised the new Formula 1 race director, Rui Marques.

This weekend, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will feature Marques as the race director for the first time. He stepped into this role for the last three races of the 2024 season after Niels Wittich unexpectedly left his position.

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Although there have been worries about when the FIA made its decision, Mercedes driver and GPDA director Russell is pleased with how well Marques has adjusted to his new position.

"Honestly, I'd say it's positive," Russell remarked. "We've gone through a period where our feedback is acknowledged, but not much actually changes."

Several drivers mentioned the track boundaries at turn four as a point of concern. On a street circuit, it seemed somewhat excessive, so an immediate adjustment was made.

"As drivers, we desire to have our voices acknowledged and to witness immediate action, and up to now, the response has been favorable."

Carlos Sainz from Ferrari expressed that the drivers' gathering in Las Vegas was "the most productive in quite a while."

Carlos Sainz expressed that taking on the position of race director with only three races remaining in the season is an enormous challenge, especially considering the complexity involved in the role within Formula 1.

"He has a challenging job with numerous factors to manage, but right from the start, he's performed exceptionally well."

"The drivers' meeting yesterday was among the most productive we've experienced in quite some time."

George remarked on the situation at the exit of turn three, noting that they had also requested alterations to the pit entry. This was to ensure the line was more visible, as the pit entry line was practically invisible, causing significant concern.

"Today, when we arrived at the track, we noticed that the pit entry line had been expanded with a blue marker. Everyone agreed that this change was well-executed and appreciated. The meeting we had yesterday was very productive, and I feel optimistic because our feedback was taken into account."

Lewis frequently travels to various global locations to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. By providing on-site reports, Lewis shares the narratives of the key figures involved in the sport.

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Mercedes perplexed by remarkable performance

George Russell acknowledges that Mercedes is baffled by their impressive showing during practice sessions in Las Vegas.

George Russell expressed that Mercedes is puzzled by their surprisingly strong performance at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.

On the inaugural day of activities in Sin City, Lewis Hamilton led the field in both practice sessions, achieving a Mercedes 1-2 finish in the first practice with George Russell. In the second practice, Russell secured the third position, just behind Lando Norris of McLaren.

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Russell acknowledged that the reason for Mercedes' remarkable performance remains unknown to everyone.

"Absolutely, it was an amazing day. Honestly, we're a bit puzzled as to why things went so well, but I'd really like to explain it to you," Russell remarked.

"Clearly, it was just a practice session. Lewis performed exceptionally well on the track. From the very first lap, he's been fully committed, and the car has been functioning smoothly. However, we have to consider that we're on a street circuit, which tends to be quite messy."

"The pace is increasing with each lap. Just because we were quick today doesn't guarantee the same performance tomorrow, especially with the track likely to be three seconds quicker. It's a nice surprise, though."

When questioned about the possibility of Mercedes losing performance over the course of the weekend, Russell responded: "I wouldn't say it's something we're worried about. The idea that we're dropping in performance might not be entirely accurate."

"I believe the situation is largely due to our competitors not utilizing their maximum power. On Fridays, they might be operating with slightly more fuel than we do, which means they've traditionally been holding back a bit more. When they stop doing this, they return to their usual performance level."

"There might be a chance of that occurring again tomorrow, but the difference we demonstrated earlier today and later tonight has been quite significant."

"I'm certain that the other competitors will put in a lot of effort overnight to narrow the distance, but I really wish we can maintain our current performance."

During a break in practice, Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, humorously remarked, "I believe we are the champions of dirty tracks."

The first practice session is consistently impressive, but as soon as the track grip improves, their performance tends to drop. However, it's worth noting that the difference in performance was quite significant.

"It's the largest issue we've encountered in FP1 so far, so we'll need to spread some dust for all sessions tomorrow, whether it's during qualifying or another part of the day."

"I don't think the other teams will keep this edge for long. I truly hope that we won't lag behind as we have on certain tracks before, but instead stay competitive and contend at the front."

Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix events for Crash.net. By often providing on-the-ground coverage, Lewis shares the narratives of key figures in the sport.

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