Russell reveals unusual method powered Las Vegas pole

George Russell has revealed how a 45-minute 'power nap' aided his bid for pole position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

With drivers battling jet-lag and the unusual weekend schedule of the race, adjustments are having to be made to sleep cycles, with wake-up times of 13:00-14:00 local common. 

As drivers get accustomed to the shift, Russell detailed how he was sleeping wherever and whenever he could, with a nap in-between FP3 and qualifying aiding his push for pole.

He shaded Carlos Sainz by just 0.098s to claim P1 - with Mercedes' W15 a threat for victory with the cold air and track temperatures suiting the package.

"It's difficult to get your eight hours sleep in when it's so offset, so for me it's also just trying to sleep when you can, so I took a nap before qualifying," Russell told media including RacingNews365.

"I woke up a little bit drowsy and then made sure I was in peak condition come the end of qualifying. It is really difficult, but we're all in the same boat.

"I went to sleep because the body's just all over the place, and I'm just trying to sleep when I can and just listen to my body. And if I need to sleep, I sleep. 

"There wasn't much to do, the car was feeling good. I was feeling good, we didn't change the setup at all going into qualifying, so sleep was the best thing.

"I'd normally try and probably sort of meditate as opposed to sleep, just sort of close my eyes and listen to waves crashing against the sea or breathing exercises. I sort of do like box breathing and it works for me.

"It relaxes my mind and takes a bit of pressure off."