Charles Leclerc lost pole position before the lap began

Ferrari's driver was faster through two-thirds of Las Vegas. It didn't matter.

George Russell took pole at Las Vegas by 0.098 seconds. Charles Leclerc was faster through Sector 2. He was faster through Sector 3. He was six tenths slower through Sector 1.

Key Finding

Leclerc gave away six tenths in Sector 1 and spent the rest of the lap trying to get it back.

The lap was decided before Turn 6

LEC vs RUS — sector-by-sector breakdown

The red bar shows where Leclerc lost pole — before he even reached the middle sector where Ferrari was quickest.

▲ LEC faster▼ RUS faster

S1: -0.601s · S2: +0.018s · S3: +0.112s

Key Finding

Leclerc gave away six tenths in Sector 1 and spent the rest of the lap trying to get it back.

Russell put 0.601 seconds into Leclerc between Turn 1 and Turn 5. That is the entire story of this qualifying session.

Leclerc clawed back 0.018s in Sector 2. He found another 0.112s through the casino section in Sector 3. He needed 0.601s. He found 0.130s. The mathematics were clear before he crossed the line.

Ferrari carried more speed where it didn't matter

LEC (Lap 22) vs RUS (Lap 24) — fastest laps compared

The red line sits higher through the middle sector — that's Leclerc's advantage through Turns 6–11. It wasn't enough.

LEC (Lap 22)RUS (Lap 24)

Fastest laps: LEC Lap 22, RUS Lap 24.

Key Finding

Leclerc gave away six tenths in Sector 1 and spent the rest of the lap trying to get it back.

Ferrari brought the faster car to two-thirds of the circuit. They were quicker through the technical middle sector. They were quicker through the high-speed final third. None of it mattered because Mercedes were untouchable where Las Vegas qualifying is won: the opening five corners.

Russell will start from pole. Leclerc will start fourth, having had his lap deleted for track limits at Turn 8 on an earlier run. The six tenths he lost in Sector 1 meant he couldn't afford that mistake.

Key Finding

Leclerc gave away six tenths in Sector 1 and spent the rest of the lap trying to get it back.

Qatar is next week. Ferrari will arrive knowing they have race pace through most of a lap. They will also arrive knowing that if Mercedes find clean air at the start, the gap opens before Ferrari can use their strengths.

Russell built his pole lap in the part of the circuit where you cannot chase it back.

Alistair Drum

@@alistair_drum

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