Las Vegas Grand Prix: George Russell on pole with Max Verstappen fifth and Lando Norris sixth

Hamilton had topped the second session of qualifying but when it came to pushing to the limit and finding the last little bit of time, he fell short, as has become something of a trend this year.

Mercedes have looked strong all weekend, Hamilton topping both Friday practice sessions and Russell Saturday’s, and that form continued through into qualifying.

Russell hit the wall on his first run and needed a change of front wing, but he stayed collected and demanded to be sent out last to ensure he got the best of the track conditions.

His pole was Mercedes’ first since he was at the front at the British Grand Prix in July.

“It feels incredible to be back on pole,” Russell said. “We have been so quick all weekend and I knew the Q3 lap would be the one that would count.

“You have to put it on the table sometimes. I felt confident in myself, I knew if I did a clean lap out it would be enough to complete a front row, but we need to convert it into a win now.”

The final top 10 shootout was delayed by about half an hour after Franco Colapinto crashed his Williams at the end of the second qualifying session.

And when it finally started, a number of drivers failed to deliver their potential.

Along with Hamilton, Leclerc struggled with cold tyres on his final lap, saying he had had the problem all weekend. “My last run was a nightmare,” he said. “My fronts were ice cold and I had crazy understeer all round the lap. I think we are strong in race pace and we will do our best to come back.”

And both McLaren drivers faded. Norris had set more or less the same time as Verstappen on his first run but was 0.211secs off his rival when it mattered.

“It was very difficult today. The whole weekend we have been struggling,” Norris said. “Our car balance and how we have to drive our car just makes it too difficult. It’s not tyres too hot or cold. Our car just doesn’t suit these conditions.”

Behind Norris, RB’s Yuki Tsunoda was seventh, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri eighth and Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Hamilton completing the top 10.