F1 Las Vegas GP: Norris on Pole, Piastri in Fifth, Verstappen Second
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, enhancing his 2025 F1 championship bid. Teammate and rival Oscar Piastri qualified fifth, while Max Verstappen starts second. The challenging wet conditions mixed up the grid, setting the stage for a critical and potentially unpredictable race in the tight championship battle.
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, significantly boosting his 2025 Formula 1 world drivers' championship bid. His closest rival and teammate, Oscar Piastri, will start in fifth, while championship contender Max Verstappen lines up alongside Norris on the front row.
Why it matters:
Norris arrived in Las Vegas with a 24-point lead over Piastri and 49 points clear of Verstappen, making this pole crucial for his championship aspirations. A strong performance in this penultimate round could solidify his lead, especially with Piastri starting further back and Verstappen still a significant threat.
The details:
- Qualifying Results: Lando Norris secured pole position for the Las Vegas GP.
- Championship Rivals: Oscar Piastri qualified fifth, while Max Verstappen will start second, joining Norris on the front row.
- Second Row: Carlos Sainz and George Russell will start immediately behind the front row.
- Challenging Conditions: Wet conditions during qualifying led to surprising early exits, including Lewis Hamilton in Q1.
- Race Start Time: The Las Vegas GP officially starts at 8:00 PM local time on Sunday, November 22nd.
- Broadcast Information: In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 will broadcast live coverage, beginning at 2:30 AM GMT on Sunday, November 23rd, with lights out at 4:00 AM GMT.
- Highlights: Channel 4 will air a 2.5-hour highlight program at 1:00 PM GMT.
- Radio Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Live will provide live radio commentary from 3:30 AM GMT.
The big picture:
This race is a critical juncture in the 2025 F1 championship. Norris's pole position puts him in a commanding position to extend his lead. However, the wet qualifying conditions created a mixed-up grid, setting the stage for a potentially unpredictable race with several key contenders starting out of their usual positions. The battle for the championship remains tight, and every point in Las Vegas will be vital.
What's next:
The focus now shifts to race day, where Norris will aim to convert his pole into a victory to further cement his championship lead. The unpredictable nature of the Las Vegas street circuit, combined with the mixed grid and potentially challenging conditions, promises an exciting and pivotal race for the 2025 Formula 1 season.