Lando Norris Secures Thrilling Pole Position in Rainy Las Vegas GP as Max Verstappen Follows and Lewis Hamilton Starts Last

Lando Norris delivered an outstanding performance by clinching pole position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, showcasing his skill in challenging wet conditions. On a circuit that had suffered from heavy rainfall, Norris emerged as the fastest driver during qualifying, setting a time of 1:47.934.

Key Events of Qualifying

The qualifying session was marked by treacherous weather. After rainfall left the Las Vegas Strip Circuit slippery, Norris managed to excel during Q3, navigating the drying track on intermediate tyres. His McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, finished fifth, trailing Norris by a considerable margin.

• 1st: Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:47.934
• 2nd: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.323s
• 3rd: Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.362s
• 4th: George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.869s
• 5th: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +1.027s

Verstappen, who secured second position, was 0.323 seconds behind Norris. Sainz impressed by taking third and faced no penalties despite a post-qualification investigation.

Notable Eliminations

This qualifying session was particularly challenging for Lewis Hamilton, who finished last in 20th place, marking a disappointing low for the Ferrari driver. His struggles were compounded by grip issues, leading to his early exit from Q1. Hamilton was joined by Williams’ Alex Albon, who unfortunately collided with the wall and broke his car’s suspension.

Championship Implications

Norris is currently leading the championship and now has a 24-point advantage over Piastri. Verstappen trails by 49 points. With only 58 points left in the season, the pressure is mounting as the finale approaches.

Montage of Qualifying Times

Heading into the race, the stakes are high for Norris as he aims to solidify his lead in the championship. The performance in Las Vegas signals a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle for the Formula 1 title.