Norris Masters Wet Las Vegas Qualifying to Seize Pole
Lando Norris delivered a stunning performance in a rain-affected qualifying session to secure pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, significantly boosting his Formula 1 World Championship aspirations. The McLaren driver mastered the treacherous conditions on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, finishing 0.323 seconds clear of Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
Norris's achievement becomes even more crucial considering his closest title rival, McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, could only manage fifth position on the grid. The qualifying result dramatically reshapes the championship battle with just three races remaining in the 2025 season.
Championship Implications and Starting Grid
Norris currently leads the drivers' championship with 390 points, holding a 24-point advantage over Piastri (366 points) and a more comfortable 49-point buffer over Verstappen (341 points). With 83 points still available across the final three rounds, starting from pole position in Las Vegas gives Norris the perfect opportunity to extend his lead.
The British driver could potentially secure his first world championship as early as next weekend in Qatar if results go his way. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz qualified an impressive third for Williams, with Mercedes' George Russell taking fourth position.
Hamilton's Nightmare Season Hits New Low
Lewis Hamilton's difficult debut season with Ferrari reached what he described as a "catastrophic" new low when he qualified 20th and last for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion's struggles continued in dramatic fashion, with Sky Sports F1 pundits analysing his critical error during the qualifying session.
2009 world champion Jenson Button suggested Hamilton had "lost focus" after the Ferrari driver lifted off the accelerator despite his team instructing him to continue pushing. The mistake proved costly, leaving Hamilton starting from the very back of the grid in a race where overtaking opportunities may be limited.
Driver Reactions and Brundle's Absence
Norris described the qualifying session as "stressful as hell" when speaking to reporters afterwards. "It is so slippery out there that as soon as you hit the kerb you snap the car," he said. "I didn't expect to be as quick as I was in the wet. It is going to be an interesting race with Max up there."
Verstappen, who will start alongside Norris on the front row, remained philosophical about his second-place qualifying result. When asked if he was surprised by Norris's pace, the Red Bull driver responded: "No, I mean why would it surprise me? They have been quick on almost every track, and especially in the wet on inters they have been super strong the whole season."
In broadcasting news, Sky Sports F1 confirmed that Martin Brundle will not conduct his famous grid walk for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The veteran broadcaster, who has led grid walks at the first two Vegas races, is not present this weekend as part of his contract that covers 16 of the 24 races annually. Jenson Button is serving as co-commentator in his absence.
What to Expect in the Race
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 4am GMT on Sunday morning (10pm local time Saturday night). With Norris starting from pole and his main championship rivals behind him, all eyes will be on whether the McLaren driver can convert his qualifying advantage into a crucial race victory.
The full starting grid shows Norris ahead of Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, and Piastri in the top five positions. Hamilton starts last in what has become a nightmare debut season with Ferrari, a team that has yet to win a race in 2025 despite having what many considered the strongest driver lineup on paper at the season's start.
