Norris Secures Vegas Pole Amidst Chaotic Wet Qualifying; Piastri's Charge Derailed
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in a chaotic, rain-affected qualifying session, mastering the slippery conditions. Teammate Oscar Piastri's strong Q3 bid was hampered by a late incident, while Lewis Hamilton suffered a shock last-place qualification. The unpredictable session sets the stage for an intriguing race under the lights, with dry conditions expected to further shake up the field.
Lando Norris has clinched his seventh pole position of the season at a rain-soaked Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session, posting a blistering 1m47.934s lap. The McLaren driver navigated treacherous wet conditions that saw multiple incidents and yellow flags, while his teammate Oscar Piastri's strong run was unfortunately cut short by a late incident.
Why it matters:
- Norris's pole further solidifies his impressive season, demonstrating his skill in challenging conditions and keeping McLaren firmly in the spotlight.
- The highly unpredictable wet qualifying session has reshaped the grid, setting up a potentially thrilling race under the lights in Las Vegas, especially with dry conditions forecasted.
- Lewis Hamilton's shocking last-place qualification highlights the chaotic nature of the session and could significantly impact the championship narrative.
The Details:
- Norris's Dominance: Despite a 'stressful' final lap with a slight compromise at Turn 14, Norris's time proved unbeatable, overcoming brief challenges from Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
- Piastri's Misfortune: Oscar Piastri, who had held provisional pole earlier in Q3, was involved in a bizarre incident with Isack Hadjar's Racing Bull at Turn 14, forcing him off track and ruining his final flying lap. He will start fifth.
- Verstappen and Sainz on Front Row: Max Verstappen will start second, expressing relief to be on the front row despite struggling with grip he described as 'driving on ice.' Carlos Sainz delivered his best qualifying since Baku, securing third, but faces an investigation for re-entering the track unsafely in Q1.
- Key Eliminations in Q1: Lewis Hamilton was the most significant casualty, qualifying last (20th) after aborting his final lap due to a misunderstanding of the cutoff time and earlier clipping a cone. Alex Albon also crashed, eliminating both him and Hamilton in Q1 amidst a flurry of late accidents and yellow flags.
- Q2 Surprises: Lance Stroll's gamble on intermediate tires as the track dried slightly did not pay off, leaving him 12th. Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman, and Franco Colapinto were also eliminated.
- Tricky Track Conditions: The session began cautiously with most drivers on intermediates before switching to full wets as rain continued. Early spins from Verstappen, Hadjar, and Charles Leclerc underscored the slippery nature of the track.
What's next:
With dry conditions expected for tomorrow's race, the limited dry running so far promises an unpredictable and exciting Las Vegas Grand Prix. The race is scheduled to begin at 8 PM local time on Saturday (3 PM AEDT Sunday). The starting grid, particularly with Hamilton at the very back and Sainz under investigation, will add an extra layer of intrigue to an already anticipated event.