Norris Secures Pole in Chaotic Wet Las Vegas Qualifying

Lando Norris snatched pole position for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix in a challenging wet qualifying session, describing the conditions as 'stressful as hell.' Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz will start alongside him on the front row, with Sainz expressing surprise at Williams' pace in the wet.

Why it matters:

• This chaotic qualifying session, marked by unpredictable wet conditions, has set the stage for a highly unpredictable race. With limited dry practice, teams face significant unknowns regarding race pace and tire degradation.
• Norris's pole position, especially in challenging conditions, highlights McLaren's improved adaptability, while Williams' strong showing with Sainz hints at potential upsets.

The details:

• Norris's Pole Lap: Lando Norris secured pole despite a significant moment in Turn 14 on his final Q3 lap. He admitted to expecting a dry session, making his wet weather performance even more impressive.
  • He emphasized the extreme slipperiness of the track, comparing it to driving on ice, making every corner a potential crash point.
• Verstappen's Struggle: Max Verstappen, starting P2, found the conditions incredibly difficult. He described it as 'driving on ice' rather than a typical wet track, struggling to find grip, especially on intermediate tires.
  • He noted better performance on extreme wets but acknowledged the track drying forced a switch, hindering his pace.
  • Visibility was also a major concern due to ground effect cars kicking up excessive spray, necessitating large gaps between cars.
• Sainz's Surprise Pace: Carlos Sainz of Williams qualified P3, exceeding expectations, especially in the wet. He credited car changes made after FP3 for improving wet performance.
  • Sainz felt his pace was particularly strong on extreme wet tires in Q1 and Q2, but expected others to catch up on intermediates.
  • He expressed gratitude for the strong support from US fans, viewing Williams as an 'underdog' project showing continuous improvement.
• Track Conditions: Drivers universally described the track as 'super slippery,' 'like ice,' and 'nasty.' Key challenges included low grip, cold tires, white and yellow lines becoming hazardous, and poor visibility.
  • The final corner (Turn 14) was highlighted as particularly daunting due to heavy braking and the risk of locking tires or spinning.
  • Norris noted the absence of enough lighting and the dangers posed by unavoidable road markings (zebra crossings) in the wet.

What's next:

• Tomorrow's race is expected to be dry, adding another layer of uncertainty as teams have done minimal high-fuel running or long stints in dry conditions this weekend.
• Norris expressed confidence in McLaren's dry pace, while Verstappen admitted uncertainty about Red Bull's long-run performance after an unconvincing FP1.
• Sainz, despite his P3 start, anticipates a tough race to hold position against faster cars from Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari in dry conditions.
• Norris and Verstappen are both prepared for a fierce battle into Turn 1, with Norris affirming his intent to take risks and fight for the win despite the championship implications for others.