F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Qualifying start time and schedule as Lewis Hamilton eyes pole position

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Qualifying start time and schedule as Lewis Hamilton eyes pole position

F1 next heads to the famous Sin City strip for the second edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and round 22 of the 2024 season.

Max Verstappen is on the cusp of a fourth successive world championship after his masterful drive in the wet at the last race in Brazil. With a 62-point advantage over Lando Norris with three races remaining, the Dutchman can clinch the title in Vegas if he finishes above the McLaren driver.

Lewis Hamilton will be eyeing a strong showing after a weekend to forget in Sao Paulo, as his time as a Mercedes driver nears its end before his 2025 move to Ferrari.

Verstappen won last year’s inaugural race in Vegas, when Charles Leclerc claimed second place on the last lap with an overtake on Sergio Perez.

Follow live updates from the Las Vegas Grand Prix:

F1 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX – LATEST UPDATES

  • F1 returns for round 22 of the 2024 season

  • FP3 is at 2:30am (GMT): qualifying starts at 6am

  • Max Verstappen can win the title this weekend if he finishes higher than Lando Norris

  • PREVIEW: Las Vegas GP returns – with key ingredient present after topsy-turvy F1 debut

  • Lewis Hamilton was quickest in both of Friday’s practice sessions

What are the start times for the Las Vegas GP?

15:00 , Kieran Jackson

All times GMT

Saturday 23 November

  • Free practice 3: 2:30am

  • Qualifying: 6am

Sunday 24 November

Lando Norris insists Max Verstappen would not win 2024 F1 title in a McLaren

13:20 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris insists Max Verstappen would not have won this year’s Formula 1 world championship if he was driving a McLaren.

Norris saw his title hopes disintegrate at the last race in Brazil when Verstappen produced one of his best-ever drives to claim victory from 17th on the grid in wet conditions.

With 62 points separating the pair with three races to go, Red Bull’s Verstappen will win his fourth consecutive F1 title if he finishes above McLaren’s Norris at this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Lando Norris insists Max Verstappen would not win F1 title in a McLaren

Charles Leclerc after FP1:

12:40 , Kieran Jackson

“We’ve got to try and find something to try and turn the situation around, but we’re not so far [away],” Leclerc said.

“All in all I think we are very strong in race pace, a bit less in quali. It’s been a bit the story of our season but it’s better that way than the opposite.

“I think we have some ideas of what to do to try and improve that, but then it’s a compromise of how good you want to be in the race compared to qualifying and we need to find the right compromise.”

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

F1 in talks over 11th team for 2026 season after Andretti rejection

11:11 , Kieran Jackson

Formula One is reportedly in talks with General Motors about an 11th team joining the grid in 2026.

F1 rejected Andretti’s bid in partnership with GM earlier this year, but did say a new offer for 2028 would be considered.

Yet Sky Sports News understands that, with former boss Michael Andretti out of the picture, a GM entry led by businessman Dan Towriss – the majority shareholder of Andretti Global – is being considered for an entry into the sport as early as 2026.

F1 in talks over 11th team for 2026 season after Andretti rejection

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after practice on Friday:

09:56 , Kieran Jackson

“I think we are dirty track champions. FP1 is always great and then the moment the grip kicks in, we’ve seen that the performances deteriorate.

“Having said that, I think the gap was pretty big. It’s the biggest that we’ve seen so far in FP1, so we’ve got to spray some dust for all the sessions tomorrow, in qualifying or something.

“But I don’t believe this kind of advantage to the other teams is going to last. I would very much hope that we’re not falling behind like we did in the past on some of the tracks, but remain competitive, fight in the front.”

 (EPA)

(EPA)

Max Verstappen after FP2:

08:32 , Kieran Jackson

“It was slippery. We really struggled to switch the tyres on, especially over one lap. On the long runs we were a bit more competitive, but we still need to do some fine tuning.”

The championship leader added: “We’re far off the one-lap pace because of the unique conditions here, but it’s the same for everyone. We have to learn what we’re doing wrong. It’s like driving on ice.”

Max Verstappen could wrap up his fourth world championship title this weekend (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)

Max Verstappen could wrap up his fourth world championship title this weekend (David Davies/PA) (PA Wire)

08:00 , Kieran Jackson

Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Sylvester Stallone, rapper Snoop Dogg, British chef Gordon Ramsay, Olympic great Michael Phelps, heiress and celebrity television star Paris Hilton, and model E

are among the plethora of stars expected to attend the race against the backdrop of Caesars Palace, the MGM Grand and Bellagio hotels.

 (REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

 (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for The Webby Awards)

(Mike Coppola/Getty Images for The Webby Awards)

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Michael Buffer and brother Bruce to introduce F1 stars at Las Vegas Grand Prix

07:45 , Kieran Jackson

Michael Buffer and his brother Bruce will join forces to introduce Formula One’s stars for Saturday’s celebrity-fuelled Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Michael, famous for his ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ phrase, was hired by F1 bosses ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin in 2017.

Bruce, known for yelling ‘It’s Time’, announced the grid’s drivers prior to last year’s event on the Strip.

American announcer Michael Buffer at Madison Square Garden (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Archive)

American announcer Michael Buffer at Madison Square Garden (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Archive)

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Williams boss James Vowles…

07:23 , Kieran Jackson

“We’re here that if there’s points to pick up, we’re here to do it. We’re coming here to still fight for our adversaries.”

On team’s determination to get two cars out on track: “It’s just Williams. We can see the pathway of where we were and where we’re going at the moment.”

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: FP2 RESULTS!

07:12 , Kieran Jackson

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton fastest in FP2!

07:02 , Kieran Jackson

The Mercedes driver is quickest again, 0.011 secs faster than Lando Norris!

George Russell is third, with Sainz fourth and Leclerc fifth.

6-10: Gasly, Magnusssen, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda

Max Verstappen all the way down in P17, but he did not set a time on soft tyres!

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Final laps now!

06:59 , Kieran Jackson

Most of the cars on medium tyres again now, as the cars try and get in tune during race conditions in race sim.

Final few minutes now…

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton fastest now

06:49 , Kieran Jackson

Albon’s Williams has been quickly wheeled away and Hamilton – fastest in FP1 – is now P1!

Lando Norris is jut 0.011 secs behind in second, with George Russell in third.

4-10: Sainz, Leclerc, Gasly, Magnussen, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: RED FLAG!

06:39 , Kieran Jackson

Alex Albon has stopped at turn 5!

No signs of a crash but the Williams car did have a fuel issue a few minutes ago, so perhaps it’s that?!

RED FLAG! Albon’s stricken Williams will need to be removed, with 20 minutes to go in FP2!

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: Russell still quickest!

06:34 , Kieran Jackson

But this time Russell is on soft tyres and remains on top! He’s a tenth faster than Carlos Sainz in second, with Lewis Hamilton in third.

4-10: Leclerc, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Gasly Bottas, Ocon

Norris and Verstappen yet to set a time on softs. 30 minutes left!

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: FP2!

06:20 , Kieran Jackson

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: George Russell fastest early on

06:14 , Kieran Jackson

The Mercedes driver top of the timesheet early on with a 1:34:479.

Lando Norris is second, with Charles Leclerc in third. They’re all on mediums for the time being – and a lot of them are struggling for grip in these 8C temperatures!

45 mins to go…

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: George Russell on team radio

06:06 , Kieran Jackson

“This helmet has max venting so I’ve got a lot of cold air going into my face.”

Not ideal early on!

F1 Las Vegas GP LIVE: FP2 underway!

06:02 , Kieran Jackson

With temperatures dropping and grip dropping in the process at 10pm local time, we’re underway with FP2 in Vegas!

The Alpine pairing of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon are straight out on track.

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton bounces back to lead British dominance in Las Vegas

05:55 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton bounced back from his Brazil horror show to lead a British one-two-three in opening practice for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Having said he wanted to quit Mercedes in the aftermath of his disappointing 10th-placed finish in Interlagos a fortnight ago, Hamilton saw off team-mate George Russell by 0.396 seconds on the Strip.

Lando Norris, who must take at least three points out of Max Verstappen’s 62-point championship lead to extend the title battle to the penultimate race in Qatar, was third, nearly one second back.

Lewis Hamilton bounces back to lead British dominance in Las Vegas

How can Max Verstappen win the 2024 title?

05:51 , Kieran Jackson

There are now just 86 points available across the next three races in Vegas, Qatar (including the final sprint race of the season) and Abu Dhabi.

By the end of the weekend in Vegas, there will be just 60 points left to claim.

That means that if Verstappen simply finishes above Norris in Vegas, he will be crowned the 2024 champion. The Dutchman would also seal the title if both drivers fail to score a point.

Verstappen will also win the 2024 title if Norris does not outscore the Red Bull driver by more than two points.

As a result, Verstappen will be world champion in Sin City if:

  • If Norris is second and he finishes third with the fastest lap

  • If Norris is third and he finishes fourth with the fastest lap

  • If Norris is fourth without the fastest lap and he finishes fifth

  • If Norris is fifth without the fastest lap and he finishes sixth

  • If Norris is sixth without the fastest lap and he finishes seventh

  • If Norris is seventh without the fastest lap and he finishes eighth

  • If Norris is eighth without the fastest lap and he finishes ninth

  • If Norris is ninth without the fastest lap or lower irrespective of where he he finishes

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

PREVIEW: Las Vegas GP returns – with key ingredient present after topsy-turvy F1 debut

05:38 , Kieran Jackson

As fans trudged away from their expensive acquired seats on night one of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, having seen just eight minutes of cars on track before “manhole gate”, one question sprung to mind: how could the sport come back for this?

Yet beyond all the fanfare which inevitably accompanied Formula One’s lavish return to Sin City last year, what actually saved the inaugural event was the Saturday night race itself. We had overtakes – 82 in fact, the most of any circuit during its debut grand prix – we had safety cars and we had last-lap drama. For a sport which veers too blatantly in the direction of spectacle at times, it was a refreshing nod to the drama the action on track can deliver.

Full preview below:

Las Vegas GP returns for second edition – with key ingredient present after F1 debut

What are the start times this weekend in Las Vegas?

04:30 , Kieran Jackson

All times GMT

Friday 22 November

  • Free practice 2: 6am

Saturday 23 November

  • Free practice 3: 2:30am

  • Qualifying: 6am

Sunday 24 November

What are the start times this weekend in Las Vegas?

00:16 , Kieran Jackson

All times GMT

Friday 22 November

  • Free practice 1: 2:30am

  • Free practice 2: 6am

Saturday 23 November

  • Free practice 3: 2:30am

  • Qualifying: 6am

Sunday 24 November

F1 Las Vegas GP: Practice!

00:14 , Kieran Jackson

F1 next heads to the famous Sin City strip for the second edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and round 22 of the 2024 season.

Max Verstappen is on the cusp of a fourth successive world championship after his masterful drive in the wet at the last race in Brazil. With a 62-point advantage over Lando Norris with three races remaining, the Dutchman can clinch the title in Vegas if he finishes above the McLaren driver.

Lewis Hamilton will be eyeing a strong showing after a weekend to forget in Sao Paulo, as his time as a Mercedes driver nears its end before his 2025 move to Ferrari.

Verstappen won last year’s inaugural race in Vegas, when Charles Leclerc claimed second place on the last lap with an overtake on Sergio Perez.

 (Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

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