Portugal Colonial - It's party time for Las Vegas victor Russell on 'dream weekend'

The 26-year-old Briton started on pole and came home seven seconds clear of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who produced a vintage drive from 10th on the grid to secure a record 202nd podium finish.

"It's going to be a good party," said Russell.

"I haven't been out all year –- not once the whole season!

"I was planning on flying in a couple of hours, but I'm definitely not getting on that flight.

"I'm going to enjoy this evening with all my team here in Vegas. It's been a dream of a weekend.

"I don't know how we've been so quick, but I'm just riding this wave right now."

Ten years after he celebrated his first title, Hamilton congratulated Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who finished fifth to take his fourth consecutive drivers' title, before adding he 'had fun' racing from 10th to second.

"If I'd done my job yesterday, it would have been a breeze today," he said, referring to Friday’s qualifying session in which he was fastest before failing to set a true time in Q3.

"But it's ok, I had fun coming from tenth and the team did a fantastic job.

"We don't know why we're quick this weekend, but that's the best this car has ever felt so I'm grateful to be a part of getting to that point."

- 'Luck has turned' -

Russell said he had expected chaos like the two previous races he had started on pole.

"Vegas is just a crazy place and when you're driving and you see all of this in the background," he said gesturing at the casinos.

"To get victory here, pole position and a dominant weekend, a one-two with Lewis as well, we couldn't have chosen a better place.

"In the race, I was just waiting for something to happen.

"The two races I've been on pole before, it's always been chaos. Always something happening. The last race in Brazil with a red flag.

"So, I guess my luck has turned and I'm so happy right now."

Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari at the end of the season, said it was difficult to adjust to racing late at night in Las Vegas where the start time was 2200 local.

"It's not the climate, it's just that the race is so late,” he said.

"You're going to bed at five or six am and starting the day much later which is quite difficult.

"You don't get much sun and it messes with your rhythm. Otherwise it’s so cold! But, maybe that's the reason why we did so well.

"If the car stays like that for the next couple of races, I think we can challenge the guys up front."

The season continues with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, on the next two Sundays, where it is forecast to be much warmer than the Nevada desert –- and unlikely to favour the capricious Mercedes car.

P.Sousa--PC