LIVE: 2025 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix - Qualifying

Qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix is about to begin, promising to set the grid for what's expected to be a challenging race. Drivers wrestled with low grip conditions in the final practice session, with George Russell topping the timesheets ahead of Max Verstappen. McLaren, meanwhile, faced late-session issues, finishing at the bottom and hoping for a turnaround.

Why it matters:

Qualifying on the low-grip Las Vegas street circuit will be crucial for race day strategy. Given the unpredictable nature of the track and the varied performance seen in practice, securing a strong grid position could be the key to avoiding potential chaos and maximizing point-scoring opportunities.

The details:

• Final Practice Results: George Russell of Mercedes led the final practice session, indicating strong pace for the Silver Arrows.
• Key Competitors: Max Verstappen was close behind Russell, suggesting a direct battle for pole position. Ferrari's performance remains a question mark, but they are expected to be in the mix.
• McLaren's Struggles: McLaren encountered last-minute car concerns in practice, which left them at the bottom of the order. This is a significant setback for a team that has shown strong performance in recent races.
• Track Conditions: The low-grip surface of the Las Vegas street circuit has been a major challenge for all drivers, making car control and tire management paramount. This could lead to unexpected results and potential incidents during qualifying.
• High Stakes: With championship implications still at play and the prestige of the Las Vegas GP, every driver will be pushing the limits, making qualifying a high-tension session.

What's next:

The upcoming qualifying session will reveal which teams and drivers have best adapted to the unique challenges of the Las Vegas street circuit. The grid set today will heavily influence the race dynamics, with teams hoping to avoid incidents and capitalize on track position for tomorrow's main event.