Max Verstappen may have grabbed the spotlight at the Las Vegas Grand Prix earlier today, but Mercedes had every reason to celebrate after delivering their strongest result of the season. The weekend showcased a resurgence for the Silver Arrows, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton claiming a one-two finish that marked their first official double podium of the year.
From the outset, Mercedes appeared well-positioned for success. George Russell’s pole position set the stage, as the team thrived in the cooler temperatures of the Las Vegas circuit—conditions similar to those where they excelled earlier at Silverstone and Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. However, Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying session didn’t go as smoothly. Costly errors on both of his Q3 runs relegated the seven-time world champion to a disappointing P10 start.
Despite this setback, Lewis Hamilton showcased his trademark tenacity, carving his way through the field to secure second place behind his teammate. This result was especially significant given George Russell’s earlier disqualification at Spa-Francorchamps, which had cost Mercedes a previous one-two finish. While the exact reasons for their dominance in Las Vegas remain unclear, the team will savor this performance as Hamilton’s final chapter with Mercedes edges closer to its conclusion. With only two races left before he transitions to Ferrari, the British driver demonstrated his enduring prowess behind the wheel.
Interestingly, Martin Brundle observed during Sky Sports F1 coverage that the Las Vegas GP might have offered Hamilton a glimpse of Ferrari’s potential—and even given him a reason to smile beneath his helmet.
Ferrari had little to counter Mercedes’ advantage throughout the weekend, but Lewis Hamilton did take note of their straight-line speed. Over the team radio, as he worked to complete some critical overtakes, Lewis Hamilton remarked: *“These guys are fast on the straights!”* Martin Brundle interpreted this as a subtle acknowledgment of Ferrari’s strengths, suggesting that the 39-year-old may already be optimistic about what awaits him in red overalls next season.
While the Dutchman celebrated yet another milestone, Mercedes’ dominance in Sin City and Ferrari’s flashes of promise left no shortage of intrigue for the final two rounds—and for Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Maranello.
“That’s a weird one for Lewis, isn’t it? ‘These guys’ are faster on the straights. Well, he’s three races away including this one from being these guys. I wonder if there was a little bit of a smile, yes, when he took his thumb off the radio.” – the Sky Sports broadcaster pointed out during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as David Croft continued: “We came into this race, of course, we were talking about whether Hamilton is on the shelf a little bit, nearing the end of his shelf life. Toto Wolff rather intimating whether he would have got rid of Lewis Hamilton even if he hadn’t made that deal to go and sign with Ferrari and I think that’s given Lewis a real incentive and motivation out there and it’s shown this weekend. Fastest in FP1 and FP2, 2nd-fastest in FP3 and could have been in the top three in qualifying, didn’t work out in Q3, but having a much better race, proving he’s still got plenty of overtaking left in him.” – the British television broadcaster for Sky Sports added.
Ferrari Aiming to Welcome Lewis Hamilton in 2025 as Reigning Constructors’ Champions
Ferrari has set its sights high for 2025, with plans to welcome Lewis Hamilton into their ranks as a key piece of their championship puzzle. While they couldn’t match Mercedes’ dominant pace in Las Vegas, the Scuderia’s performance was more predictable compared to the rollercoaster season experienced by the Silver Arrows. For Ferrari, consistency—though not yet championship-caliber—has been a foundation to build upon, whereas Mercedes has often been uncertain of their competitiveness from one session to the next.
Ferrari has demonstrated strong potential at specific circuits this season, though they remain acutely aware of their current limitations. Team principal Frederic Vasseur has been transparent about his ambitions, ensuring that Hamilton’s arrival in Maranello aligns with a team ready to fight for titles. While the seven-time world champion won’t be able to participate in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi due to contractual obligations with Mercedes, Ferrari is already strategizing how to integrate him seamlessly into their 2025 plans.
George Russell, Lewis Hamilton’s current teammate, believes the switch to Ferrari could reignite Hamilton’s quest for an unprecedented eighth championship. Reflecting on the Scuderia’s progress over the 2024 season, George Russell suggested that Ferrari’s steady improvement, showcased not only in Las Vegas but across the campaign, could provide Hamilton with the platform he needs to achieve historic success during his tenure in red.
Ferrari’s focus now lies on closing the gap to McLaren while preparing for a future where Hamilton’s experience and skill could prove decisive. With the groundwork being laid for a competitive resurgence, the Maranello team is determined to hand Hamilton a car capable of securing both individual and Constructors’ glory when he takes up the iconic red overalls.
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