Max Verstappen confessed to taking significant risks in his final Q3 lap at the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying, but it wasn't enough to beat Lando Norris for pole position. Describing the track as 'driving on ice,' Verstappen will start alongside Norris on the front row, aiming to leverage the race start to challenge for the lead and keep his championship hopes alive.
Red Bull's Laurent Mekies admitted a significant tire pressure error led to Yuki Tsunoda's early Q1 exit in wet Las Vegas qualifying, leaving him 19th. Mekies took full responsibility for the team's mistake, which severely hampered Tsunoda's grip. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen showcased strong performance, securing a front-row start despite the challenging, low-grip conditions, earning praise from Mekies.
Lewis Hamilton's disastrous Q1 exit in the Las Vegas Grand Prix marks a new low in what he calls his "hardest year" in F1. Despite feeling strong in practice, hitting a bollard and yellow flags compounded his qualifying struggles, leaving him 20th on the grid. This continues a season of unfulfilled potential for the Ferrari driver, who aims for a recovery drive after a series of disappointments.
Carlos Sainz avoids penalty for an unsafe rejoin incident with Lance Stroll during a rain-affected Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying. The FIA's decision allows the Williams driver to retain his impressive third-place grid position, citing poor visibility and Stroll's team confirming no issue. This clears Sainz to start behind Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, crucial for Williams' strong weekend showing.
Fernando Alonso surprisingly relished the wet Las Vegas GP qualifying, securing P7 despite treacherous conditions that left many drivers struggling. He found the session 'more fun' than anticipated, praising the track and tire performance. This strong result for Aston Martin, fueled by aggressive early strategies, positions Alonso well for the race, showcasing his enduring skill in challenging circumstances.
Carlos Sainz delivered a surprise performance by securing third place on the grid for Williams at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, despite initial struggles in practice. Significant car changes before qualifying propelled him to an impressive result, though an investigation into an unsafe rejoin could jeopardize his starting position.
Alpine has been fined €5,000 by stewards after qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The penalty was issued because the team failed to electronically lodge the return of Franco Colapinto's tires, despite them being physically returned. This incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to FIA regulations, even for procedural matters.
George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli escaped penalties after an FIA investigation into Mercedes' failure to submit a set-up sheet during Las Vegas GP qualifying. The breach was attributed to an IT security issue, not team negligence, leading the stewards to clear both drivers and the team of any wrongdoing, preventing potential sanctions.
Oscar Piastri addressed a social media controversy after his Instagram account reposted quotes from Bernie Ecclestone suggesting McLaren prefers Lando Norris. Piastri claimed the repost was accidental and unintentional, quickly deleting it, but the incident went viral and fueled existing favoritism rumors. The Australian driver qualified fifth for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Lando Norris secured pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, enhancing his 2025 F1 championship bid. Teammate and rival Oscar Piastri qualified fifth, while Max Verstappen starts second. The challenging wet conditions mixed up the grid, setting the stage for a critical and potentially unpredictable race in the tight championship battle.
Mercedes has been summoned to the F1 stewards at the Las Vegas Grand Prix for a late submission of crucial set-up documents for both cars, violating Article 40.1 of the sporting regulations. This incident occurred after a mixed qualifying session for the team, with George Russell qualifying fourth and Andrea Kimi Antonelli 17th in challenging wet conditions. The team awaits a decision from the stewards, with potential penalties ranging from a reprimand to, in extreme cases, disqualification from qualifying.
Lando Norris clinched pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a surprising start, having woken up from a nap expecting dry conditions only to find it raining. He navigated the treacherous wet track masterfully, giving McLaren a crucial advantage and boosting his championship hopes, despite a near-crash moment on his final push lap.
