Lando Norris claimed pole at the rain-hit Las Vegas GP, beating Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz in a dramatic qualifying session. With championship pressure rising, the grid is set for an intense Formula 1 showdown under unpredictable desert weather.
In a dramatic, rain-lashed qualifying session at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Lando Norris delivered a masterclass in wet-weather driving to secure his third consecutive pole position of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The McLaren driver, who currently leads the Drivers’ Championship, set a benchmark time of 1m 47.934s, finishing nearly three-tenths ahead of reigning World Champion Max Verstappen and an impressive Carlos Sainz of Williams.
The challenging conditions forced drivers to walk a tightrope between aggression and caution on a slippery street circuit that rarely sees rain. Yet it was Norris who adapted quickest, setting consistently strong laps across all three qualifying segments and reinforcing his growing reputation as one of the grid’s most complete drivers.
Norris Extends Pole Streak Amid Shifting Championship Tension
With this latest pole, Norris extended his run to three straight P1 starts, elevating momentum in his championship campaign. While Verstappen remained within striking distance, he appeared less comfortable in the wet conditions compared to his McLaren rival. The Red Bull driver, however, maintained that he was satisfied with his front-row start given the intensity of the rainfall in the final minutes of Q3.
Carlos Sainz produced one of the standout performances of the evening for Williams, securing P3 and continuing his impressive turnaround this season. The Spaniard’s confidence in mixed conditions shone through once again, suggesting that Williams could be a genuine podium contender under both wet and dry race circumstances.
Russell Dominates Early Stages but Falls Short in Q3
George Russell’s form in Q1 and Q2 had suggested that Mercedes could challenge for pole, the British driver topping both segments with commanding wet-tyre pace. However, as the rain intensified in the final session, Mercedes appeared unable to maintain its edge. Russell ultimately settled for fourth place, still a strong position on a track where overtaking opportunities should be plentiful.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’s McLaren teammate and closest championship rival, endured a more turbulent session. Running wide into the Turn 12 escape area during his final timed attempt, Piastri relinquished what could have been a top-three start and ended the session in fifth. His brief wheel-to-wheel moment with Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls further disrupted his momentum at a critical moment.
Racing Bulls Impress as Lawson and Hadjar Break Through
Racing Bulls enjoyed a strong outing, with Liam Lawson securing P6 after a composed and confident run through all three segments. His teammate Isack Hadjar also delivered one of the surprises of the session, finishing eighth and putting both Racing Bulls cars inside the top ten.
Fernando Alonso’s experience paid dividends in the slippery conditions as he guided his Aston Martin to seventh, while Charles Leclerc managed only ninth after running deep into Turn 12 on his last push lap. Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten for Alpine.
Midfield Struggles and Early Exits Shake the Grid
Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg narrowly missed out on Q3, finishing 11th after lacking the final tenths needed to progress. He was followed by Lance Stroll in 12th, while both Haas drivers—Esteban Ocon and rookie Ollie Bearman—failed to threaten the top ten and ended their session in 13th and 14th respectively. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto secured 15th.
The biggest early shock came from Williams driver Alex Albon, who hit the barrier at Turn 16 during the closing stages of Q1. The impact broke his front-right suspension and ended his qualifying effort prematurely. He will start from 16th.
Joining him in the Q1 elimination zone were Mercedes newcomer Kimi Antonelli, Sauber rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, and Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull. However, the most striking disappointment was Lewis Hamilton, who ended his session in 20th place. The seven-time World Champion struggled severely for grip and pace on the wet tyres, leaving Ferrari with significant work ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
A High-Stakes Race Ahead
With championship implications intensifying and the Las Vegas weather creating unpredictable racing conditions, Sunday’s Grand Prix promises to be one of the season’s most compelling showdowns. Norris will start with a clear track ahead, but Verstappen, Sainz, and an aggressive midfield pack could quickly turn the evening into a strategic and thrilling battle.
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