Sports News, Transfers and Scores:
George Russell expressed his delight and satisfaction after converting pole position into victory with a dominant performance during Saturday night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Russell got away well off the line to hold the lead into Turn 1 and, after fending off an attack from the fast-starting Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc, took control of the 50-lap encounter.
READ MORE: Verstappen crowned champion as Russell heads Mercedes 1-2 in Las Vegas
A strong recovery from team mate Lewis Hamilton, who lined up back in 10th, meant Russell was kept on his toes in the closing laps, but he nonetheless had several seconds in hand when the chequered flag dropped.
2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix: Russell holds the lead as Leclerc jumps from fourth to P2 on the race start
Russell’s pole was the first for himself and Mercedes since the British Grand Prix, while his win marks the team’s first since the Belgian Grand Prix – both events held some four months ago in July.
Asked to reflect on his win, and how he intends to celebrate, Russell smiled: “I was planning to fly in a couple of hours but I’m definitely not getting on that flight! I’m going to enjoy this evening with all my team.
AS IT HAPPENED: All the action from the Las Vegas GP as Russell wins while Verstappen seals fourth world title
“It’s been a dream of a weekend. I don’t know how we’ve been so quick but I’m just riding this wave right now. To get the victory here, pole position, a dominant weekend, one-two with Lewis as well… We couldn’t have chosen a better place to make this happen.”
Russell delivered a cool, calm and collected drive under the Las Vegas lights
Russell added that he was nervous of any drama behind – and a potential Safety Car – scuppering his route to victory, with the Briton relieved to make it to the finish unscathed and bag the valuable win.
“I was just waiting for something to happen,” he commented. “The two races I’ve been on pole before, there’s always been chaos, rain, drying, always something happening…
INSIGHT: What a lap of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit feels like alongside a 59-time Grand Prix starter
“I was like, ‘I feel confident here, I’ve got a good gap’, but I was just waiting for something to happen and it didn’t. I guess our luck has turned and I’m just so, so happy right now.”
DISCOVER MORE…
Lawrence Barretto’s 5 bold predictions for the 2025 season – how many will come true this year?
Hamilton’s Ferrari bombshell, Newey’s Red Bull exit and more – The key moments of an unforgettable 2024 F1 season
From team mate spats to a Safety Car drought – 10 moments you might have forgotten from the 2024 season
Funniest moment, best radio message and more – F1’s 2024 alternative awards
IN NUMBERS: How 2024 came to be one of the most thrilling F1 seasons yet
Source: https://www.formula1.com/
More Stories
DRIVER OF THE DAY: Hamilton gets your vote for P10-to-P2 Vegas charge
‘A very special and beautiful season’ – Verstappen ‘proud’ after joining elites as a four-time F1 champion in Las Vegas
‘Max just doesn’t have a weakness’ – Norris hails champion Verstappen as he seals title glory in Las Vegas