Hamilton's Vegas Nightmare: Last Place Start as Norris Claims Pole
Lewis Hamilton suffered a shocking qualifying session in Las Vegas, finishing last for the first time in his career due to tire issues and yellow flags. Meanwhile, Lando Norris claimed a surprising pole position, putting him in an ideal spot to extend his championship lead. Max Verstappen will start second, setting the stage for a dramatic Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton endured a disastrous qualifying session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, starting last for the first time in 378 races, while fellow Brit Lando Norris secured pole position. Hamilton struggled with tire temperature and yellow flags, failing to set a clean lap. Norris, despite a wobble on his final lap, surprised even himself to claim his seventh pole of the season, extending his championship lead.
Why it matters:
Lewis Hamilton's worst qualifying performance in his career at a crucial point for Ferrari, following recent criticism from chairman John Elkann, adds significant pressure. Meanwhile, Lando Norris's pole position solidifies McLaren's strong form and puts him in an excellent position to further extend his lead in the Drivers' Championship, highlighting a potential shift in the competitive landscape.
The Details:
- Hamilton's Struggles: The seven-time world champion failed to get his wet tires into their optimal temperature window. He also encountered yellow flags during both critical moments of his qualifying attempt, forcing him to lift off the throttle.
- Result: Hamilton ended up in 20th and last place, marking his first last-place start in 378 Grand Prix races, and a significant blow to Ferrari's hopes.
- Norris's Triumph: McLaren's Lando Norris secured his seventh pole position of the season with a time of 1:47.934. He expressed surprise over team radio, wondering if others had completed clean laps, but his time remained unbeaten.
- Key Rivals: Reigning champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) qualified second with a time of 1:48.257, followed by Carlos Sainz (Williams) in third at 1:48.296.
- Championship Implications: Norris's pole gives him a prime opportunity to build on his 24-point lead over teammate Oscar Piastri, who qualified fifth.
- Other Notables: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) managed ninth place. Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) just missed the top ten, qualifying 11th, and drawing level in his internal team battle with Gabriel Bortoleto (18th). Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing) had another tough session, qualifying 19th.
Race Report: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying Results
- Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:47.934 Min
- Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:48.257
- Carlos Sainz (E), Williams, 1:48.296
- George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:48.803
- Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:48.961
- Liam Lawson (NZ), Racing Bulls, 1:49.062
- Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:49.466
- Isack Hadjar (F), Racing Bulls, 1:49.554
- Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:49.872
- Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:51.540
- Nico Hülkenberg (D), Sauber, 1:52.781
- Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:52.850
- Esteban Ocon (E), Haas, 1:52.987
- Oliver Bearman (GB), Haas, 1:53.094
- Franco Colapinto (RA), Alpine, 1:53.683
- Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:56.220
- Kimi Antonelli (I), Mercedes, 1:56.314
- Gabriel Bortoleto (BR), Sauber, 1:56.674
- Yuki Tsunoda (J), Red Bull Racing, 1:56.798
- Lewis Hamilton (GB), Ferrari, 1:57.115
What's next:
With Hamilton starting from the very back, the focus will be on Norris's ability to convert pole into a win and Verstappen's charge from second. The unpredictable nature of the Las Vegas street circuit, combined with the mixed conditions seen in qualifying, promises an exciting race where strategic calls and managing tire degradation will be paramount.