Norris Secures Pole in Thrilling Wet Las Vegas Qualifying, Hamilton Suffers Setback
Lando Norris clinched pole position in a dramatic, rain-soaked Las Vegas qualifying session, extending his championship lead. Max Verstappen starts alongside him, while a struggling Lewis Hamilton will begin the race from the very back of the grid. The challenging wet conditions made for a highly unpredictable session, setting the stage for a thrilling Grand Prix with significant championship implications for Norris and Verstappen.
The much-anticipated rain finally arrived in Las Vegas, transforming qualifying into a thrilling spectacle that saw Lando Norris seize pole position for Saturday's Grand Prix. This recap covers all the key moments from the wet-weather session.
Why it matters:
McLaren's strong performance in the treacherous wet conditions of Las Vegas qualifying, culminating in Norris's third consecutive pole, significantly tightens the 2025 World Championship fight. With only three races left, every point is crucial, and Norris's lead over Verstappen has been extended, intensifying the pressure on the reigning champion.
The Details:
- Wet Weather Dominates: For the first time in its short F1 history, both FP3 and qualifying in Las Vegas were held in wet conditions, posing a unique challenge for all teams and drivers.
- Norris's Pole Position: Despite a surprising P19 and P20 finish for McLaren in FP3, Lando Norris bounced back to claim his third consecutive pole position, setting a time 0.323s faster than Max Verstappen.
- Front Row Contenders: Max Verstappen will start alongside Norris on the front row, while Carlos Sainz impressed with a P3 for Williams, securing a strong starting position.
- Russell's Steering Issue: George Russell, who showed strong pace by topping FP3, Q1, and Q2, ultimately qualified P4, citing a steering issue in the final session.
- Piastri's Yellow Flag Impact: Oscar Piastri qualified P5, attributing his lost time to yellow flags during his crucial lap.
- Hamilton's Shocking Exit: In a major upset, Lewis Hamilton qualified dead last (P20), failing to get his tires to work in the challenging conditions, marking a significant low point in what he describes as the hardest season of his career.
- Other Early Exits: Yuki Tsunoda and Kimi Antonelli also missed out in Q1, finishing P19 and P17 respectively.
Between the lines:
Drivers faced a highly challenging and slippery track, leading to strong reactions regarding the difficult conditions.
- Verstappen's Sarcasm: Max Verstappen sarcastically compared the conditions to an 'ice rink,' recalling similar challenges only from Turkey in 2020.
- Hamilton's Struggles: Lewis Hamilton admitted to feeling 'horrible' after another disappointing qualifying, highlighting his ongoing battle to find pace and grip in his car, particularly in adverse conditions.
What's next:
Lando Norris's pole position places him firmly in contention for victory, further solidifying his championship aspirations. With a 24-point lead over teammate Piastri and a 49-point advantage over Verstappen, the race will be critical. If Norris outscores Verstappen by 10 points or more on Sunday, Verstappen will be mathematically eliminated from championship contention.
- The Grand Prix is scheduled for 04:00 (GMT) on Saturday.