Why Russell failed to achieve pole in F1 Las Vegas GP qualifying

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell said a steering problem cost him the chance of pole at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a qualifying session he labelled as a “missed opportunity”.

The 27-year-old will start the race in fourth having qualified eight tenths behind polesitter Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz joining the championship leader in the top three.

This is despite Russell topping every Friday session until Q3, which made the Mercedes driver favourite for pole – especially as he dominated the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. 

But Russell revealed that a mechanical issue prevented a repeat of last year’s pole, adding it could have ended up much worse than fourth.

“I had a steering issue in Q3,” he said. “I don't know what it was. It was like a power steering issue.

“It was a real shame, obviously. I was quickest in P3, quickest in Q1, quickest in Q2 and on my second lap, I thought I had to stop the car on track, because I couldn't turn the steering properly.

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

“So I don't know what it was. I feel fortunate to have qualified P4, considering. But of course, it feels like a missed opportunity.”

Qualifying was tricky for everybody given the rain around the Nevada street track, with Russell saying the conditions were “pretty horrendous,” adding “it wasn’t fun at all”.

Many were caught out by it including his rookie team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was dumped out in Q1 as he could only manage 17th for Mercedes.

“It was very slippery,” said Antonelli. “The last lap was going to be good enough for top five, and I took some margin in the last braking just to avoid any bad surprises, and just still ended up locking up and losing the lap, and got knocked out. Two laps before I was in P5, I think, and then obviously to end up P17 is very frustrating.”

This comes after a good run of form for Antonelli, who has scored points in five of the previous six grands prix with Brazil last time out arguably being his strongest weekend yet.

The 19-year-old outqualified Russell for the Interlagos sprint race and grand prix; he finished second in both contests for his second and third podiums of a turbulent 2025 season.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Photo by: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images

Antonelli then revealed on Wednesday that his confidence had therefore increased, and he is adamant that hasn’t changed despite the Q1 exit, with him optimistic of climbing up the order in the Vegas race.

“We were strong all weekend and we've been very fast, like, every session, even this morning on the inter,” the Italian added. 

“So it doesn't hurt my confidence. Obviously, we're still in the good momentum and just need to do a good race tomorrow and then focus on the next one.”

When asked what is possible, he replied: “For sure, points. We've got the pace, so hopefully tomorrow we can do a good start and gain places.”