F1 Las Vegas GP Qualifying: Start Time, How to Watch & More
The 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship battle intensifies at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Lando Norris leading, and Max Verstappen facing potential elimination. This weekend's qualifying session is crucial, especially given McLaren's past struggles with tire graining on the cold, bumpy Las Vegas track. Mercedes excelled here last year, setting the stage for a dramatic qualifying session that will heavily influence the title fight. Tune in to Sky Sports F1 for live coverage or Channel 4 for highlights.
The 2025 Formula 1 season is entering its final triple-header with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where the drivers' title remains hotly contested. Lando Norris currently leads Oscar Piastri by 24 points, while reigning champion Max Verstappen is 49 points adrift in third. This weekend marks the first opportunity for Verstappen to be mathematically eliminated from contention.
Why it matters:
With the drivers' championship still on the line, the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session is crucial. McLaren, surprisingly, isn't entering this weekend as favorites, despite their strong season. Their struggles at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where they faced severe tire graining on the cold, bumpy track and finished P6 and P7, highlight the unique challenges this circuit presents. Mercedes, in contrast, excelled last year with a 1-2 finish, making this qualifying session a pivotal indicator of who will adapt best to these conditions this year.
The details:
- Qualifying Schedule: The qualifying session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the 22nd round of the 2025 F1 campaign, is set for Friday, November 21st, at 8 PM local time.
- UK Broadcast: In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds the exclusive live broadcast rights for Formula 1. Coverage will be live on Sky Sports F1, starting at 3 AM GMT on Saturday, November 22nd, with the session commencing at 4 AM GMT.
- Streaming Options: Viewers can stream the action through NOW TV or Sky Go. Sky Sports F1 is available for £20 per month, or as part of a broader Sky Sports package for £22 monthly. NOW TV offers a one-day pass for £14.99 or a monthly subscription for £31.99.
- Highlights: For those who miss the live session, Channel 4 will broadcast highlights several hours after the event, with their program for qualifying highlights starting at 10:55 AM GMT and running for 90 minutes.
- Radio Coverage: Live radio commentary for all F1 sessions is available via BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Live Sports Extra, the BBC Sounds app, and the BBC Sport website. Las Vegas GP qualifying coverage will be on 5 Live Sports Extra 2 from 3:55 AM GMT.
The big picture:
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is known for its challenging conditions, particularly the cold track temperatures and bumpy surface, which significantly impact tire performance. McLaren's past struggles here, contrasted with Mercedes' strong showing, suggest a potential shift in the pecking order for this specific event. The outcome of qualifying will be a major determinant of race performance, especially considering the narrow margins and strategic importance of track position in street circuits.
What's next:
All eyes will be on the qualifying session to see which teams and drivers can master the unique demands of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. If McLaren can overcome their previous tire issues, Norris will be in a strong position to further solidify his championship lead. Conversely, if Mercedes or Red Bull — particularly Verstappen — find their stride, the title race will remain wide open heading into the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Weather forecasts predict cool conditions (around 12C) with light clouds, slight wind, and a 14% chance of rain, adding another layer of unpredictability to the session.