When the pupil beats the master
One of the most common clichés in Formula 1 is that a driver's first rival is their team-mate, if for no other reason than that they are the only ones to fight on equal terms, on paper at least, as they both have the same technical equipment at their disposal. Though drivers might well deny it, the direct confrontation in qualifying is the true litmus test of one's ability, even more so if your rival/team-mate is a seven time world champion who tops the all-time record lists for the most wins and pole positions. That driver would be Lewis Hamilton.
George Russell and Hamilton have been Mercedes team-mates since 2022, a partnership ending soon as Lewis heads for Ferrari next year. In that time, they have gone head to head in 66 qualifying sessions and it's the 26 year old Russell who has the advantage over Hamilton, 13 years his elder, by 36 to 30. The lad from King's Lynn has made steady progress in the art of the flying lap: in their first year together he was beaten 12 to 10, the second season was an eleven all draw and this third one looks like being a triumph, the current score being 15 to 7 in favour of the youngster with two rounds remaining.
When it comes to the races, the multiple world champion still has the edge, leading on points – 664 to 642 – and when it comes to podium places – 19 to 13- and for top ten finishes – 58 to 55. As for wins, they are equal on two apiece, but it looks as though, this year, Russell could finish ahead of Hamilton in the Drivers' championship for a second time following on from 2022. Currently, Russell heads Lewis by two points (192 to 190) but in the Las Vegas Grand Prix he has a great chance of extending his lead given that he starts from pole, while his team-mate is down in tenth place on the grid.
Having secured the fourth pole of his career in a city where everything is about taking a gamble, Russell can aspire to going home with a third trophy to place in his cabinet alongside those from Sao Paulo in 2022 and in Spielberg this year. It won't be easy as he is up against very strong opposition, starting with Carlos Sainz who lines up alongside him on the grid and is keen to show the team he will be leaving soon that it made a mistake in sacrificing him to bring Hamilton to Italy. But having secured pole, Russell is in the best possible position to aim for the win.
