In a surprise twist, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly will start third.

Sainz’s Ferrari teammate, Frenchman Charles Leclerc, will start fourth, with Formula One championship leader, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, taking fifth place and – more importantly – starting in front of McLaren rival Lando Norris. 

The result is significant because Verstappen will take a fourth successive championship on Saturday if he beats Norris. Norris, however, will line up with Verstappen on the third row in sixth place.

Pole in Vegas ?????? Great job by the whole team all weekend. Bring on the race tomorrow!! pic.twitter.com/o8Ee9C7eC2

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) November 23, 2024

Russel, who brushed the wall with his first effort, told Reuters after the qualifying session that the final lap is all that counts.

“I knew coming into that last Q3 lap, that would be the one that counts, it doesn’t matter what happened before then,” he said. “You have to put it on the table sometimes. I felt confident in myself and knew if I did a clean lap, I would be on the front row.”

Yuki Tsunoda qualified seventh for RB with Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri eighth and Nico Hulkenberg ninth for Haas. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton rounds out the top 10.

The full start list is as follows:

1. George Russel (Mercedes)
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
3. Pierre Gasly (Alpine Renault)
4. Charl Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren Mercedes)
7. Yuki Tsunoda (RB Honda)
8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren Mercedes)
9. Nico Hulkenburg (Haas Ferrari)
10. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
11. Esteban Ocon (Alpine Renault)
12. Kevin Magnussen (Haas Ferrari)
13. Zhou Guanyu (Kick Sauber Ferrari)
14. Franco Colapinto (Williams Mercedes)
15. Liam Lawson (RB Honda)
16. Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing Honda)
17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
18. Alex Albon (Williams Mercedes)
19. Valtteri Bottas (Kick Sauber)
20. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg