Lando Norris clinched pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in a brilliant performance amidst rainy conditions, marking his third consecutive pole. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri will start fifth, while Lewis Hamilton experienced a rare last-place qualifying on pace. This sets a thrilling stage for the race on a track not expected to suit McLaren, emphasizing Norris's skill and the team's strong progress.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix's first rainy qualifying session revealed extreme low grip conditions, making it one of the most challenging F1 events ever. A 'perfect storm' of factors—the track's unique layout, cold weather, and its dual use as a public road—contributed to the treacherous environment. Despite the difficulties, drivers exhibited exceptional skill, avoiding major incidents and highlighting the high caliber of talent in Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc candidly described Ferrari's Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying as "f***ing embarrassing" after a P9 finish. His frustrated radio message, citing "zero f***ing grip," underscores Ferrari's ongoing performance struggles, especially in tricky conditions. This highlights the team's persistent challenges in consistently competing at the front of the grid.
Lewis Hamilton is in an 'all-time low' with his current sixth-place standing in F1, while championship leader Lando Norris recently survived a tense moment on track. McLaren is dominating the constructors' championship, setting the stage for a thrilling season finale as Hamilton's future at Ferrari looms and Norris aims for his first title.
Oscar Piastri expressed confidence in his McLaren's pace to challenge for victory in Las Vegas, despite qualifying P5. He attributes his grid position to a yellow flag incident caused by Charles Leclerc's spin and an aggressive move by Isack Hadjar during Q3, which disrupted his hot lap. Piastri remains optimistic about making up ground in the race and believes a podium is achievable.
George Russell revealed a critical power steering issue during Q3 of the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying, which he believes prevented him from securing pole position. Despite demonstrating top pace through practice and the initial qualifying sessions, the Mercedes driver ultimately qualified P4, over eight-tenths off the pace, due to a sudden mechanical problem that made steering extremely difficult. This incident highlights a missed opportunity for Russell and Mercedes in a high-stakes race.
The Las Vegas GP qualifying brought unexpected turns, with rain creating a chaotic session. Lando Norris secured pole, demonstrating exceptional skill, while Lewis Hamilton faced a rare Q1 exit. Carlos Sainz impressed with a third-place finish, but Oscar Piastri and Alex Albon struggled. These dramatic results set the stage for an unpredictable race, potentially reshaping championship dynamics.
Lando Norris clinched pole position for McLaren in an exceptionally challenging qualifying session, skillfully navigating treacherous wet-to-intermediate conditions to outpace Max Verstappen. McLaren's bold strategy and Norris's precise driving were key, allowing him an extra crucial lap. The performance underscores Norris's talent in adverse weather and McLaren's growing competitive edge, setting the stage for an intriguing race.
Liam Lawson secured an impressive P6 in a 'wild' Las Vegas qualifying session, marking his second consecutive top-seven start. Both he and teammate Isack Hadjar made Q3, a testament to Racing Bulls' adaptability in chaotic, low-grip conditions. The team's strategic tire choices were key to their success, setting a strong foundation for the race where Lawson aims for consecutive points finishes and the team targets a dual points haul.
Oscar Piastri’s fifth-place start at the Las Vegas Grand Prix complicates his F1 2025 title bid, as rival Lando Norris secured pole. A late yellow flag hampered Piastri's final Q3 lap in challenging wet conditions. Despite the setback, Piastri remains confident in McLaren's pace and hopes the notoriously unpredictable Las Vegas race will offer opportunities to gain ground against Norris.
Max Verstappen criticized the Las Vegas Grand Prix track, calling it "super slippery" and "like ice," despite his usual enjoyment of wet conditions. He noted drivers were unusually cautious during qualifying, a sentiment echoed by pole-sitter Lando Norris, who admitted a near-miss. These comments highlight significant concerns about the track's conditions, raising questions for future events.
Lando Norris secured a chaotic pole position in a rain-drenched Las Vegas, calling the session 'stressful as hell' due to slippery conditions and numerous near-misses. Despite his initial struggles in Q1, the McLaren driver pulled off a dominant lap, three-tenths faster than Max Verstappen. With limited dry-weather data, the race remains unpredictable, but Norris is well-positioned to leverage his momentum in the championship battle.
