Verstappen Favored Over Norris for Las Vegas GP Pole Despite FP3 Issues
Max Verstappen is the favorite for pole position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as indicated by a fan poll where he narrowly edged out Lando Norris. Despite Norris's significant ERS issues in final practice, Verstappen demonstrated strong pace. With rain expected during qualifying, Verstappen, who seemed more at ease on a damp track, might have an advantage over Norris, setting the stage for a dramatic qualifying session.
Max Verstappen is widely tipped to secure pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with fans favoring him over Lando Norris in a recent poll, despite Norris's struggles in final practice. Verstappen, looking sharp in FP3, aims to capitalize on the expected wet qualifying conditions.
Why it matters:
The Las Vegas Grand Prix marks a crucial point in the F1 season, and qualifying is paramount on a street circuit where overtaking can be challenging. The fan poll reflects a significant sentiment ahead of a potentially chaotic qualifying session, especially with rain expected, which could further shake up the grid and give an edge to drivers more comfortable in damp conditions.
The details:
- Verstappen's Strong FP3: Max Verstappen finished second quickest in final practice, showcasing consistent pace and comfort with the Red Bull on the Las Vegas Street Circuit.
- Norris's Troubles: Lando Norris's final practice was severely hampered by what appeared to be an ERS issue with his McLaren MCL39, forcing him to miss crucial qualifying simulation laps and finishing rock bottom.
- Fan Poll Results: A RacingNews365 poll revealed that 34.75% of fans believe Verstappen will take pole, narrowly beating Norris, who garnered 32.04% of the votes.
- Wet Qualifying Impact: Rain is expected for the start of qualifying, which could favor Verstappen. Norris, in contrast, appeared less comfortable on a damp track early in FP3, potentially putting him at a disadvantage.
- Other Contenders: Charles Leclerc of Ferrari secured 12.77% of the votes, while McLaren's Oscar Piastri received 6.97%. Piastri faces an uphill battle, having missed significant track time due to a faulty manhole cover in FP2 and a telemetry issue in FP3.
- Hamilton and Russell: Lewis Hamilton, looking solid in final practice, garnered 5.88% support, while George Russell, who finished quickest in FP3 and won from pole last year, was backed by 5.03% of fans.
What's next:
The upcoming qualifying session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix is poised to be unpredictable, with the expected wet conditions adding another layer of complexity. The performance of both Verstappen and Norris in the rain will be a key determinant of the pole position, potentially setting the stage for an intriguing race day. All eyes will be on how teams and drivers adapt to the rapidly changing track conditions.