George Russell casts doubt on McLaren form ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix

Mercedes driver George Russell has cast doubt on McLaren's performance at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, as he predicted the Woking outfit will struggle at the race t.at includes the famous Vegas Strip.

Russell, who won the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, noted the progress that Red Bull has made in recent weeks, acknowledging the Milton Keynes outfit as a potential threat for this weekend.

But when he was quizzed on the potential of McLaren in Las Vegas, the Briton dismissed the idea that it could be a rival this weekend.

"Honestly, no, I don't think so," Russell explained during the press conference ahead of the Las Vegas race. "If I took Mercedes out of the equation and I were to try and guess who would win this weekend, I think this would be a circuit where McLaren would struggle more than usual.

"When you look at their performance in Canada, it was the only time they weren't on the podium, and their performance in Baku, the only time they weren't on the podium.

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"This circuit has some similar characteristics to the two of those tracks when you talk about the coldness, the type of tarmac, the C5 tyre, and then obviously low downforce. Baku is the same as Las Vegas, but you know, there are always these surprises, and I think it's so close in Q3 now between so many teams.

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Hector Vivas / Getty Images

"If you could do a magic lap and you can start from pole position, your whole weekend changes. They'll be there or thereabouts, but I think Red Bull probably have a better chance."

Mercedes heads into the Las Vegas Grand Prix sitting second in the constructors' championship with 398 points. Red Bull follows in third with 366 points and Ferrari sits fourth with 362 points.

The drivers' championship is also intensifying. With three rounds remaining, Lando Norris holds a 24-point lead over his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in second. Four-time champion Max Verstappen follows in third, having closed the gap to 25 points behind Piastri.

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