Norris Takes Stunning Pole in Soaked Las Vegas Qualifying

Lando Norris delivered a superb stage in unfaithful conditions to secure pole position for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, learning a rain-soaked Strip circuit that caught out even the most educated motorists.

The McLaren star outgunned the session with a 147.934, finishing just over three-tenths clear of Max Verstappen, who had looked strong throughout but couldn’t match Norris’s confidence on the slippery face.

Carlos Sainz claimed an emotional third for Williams, continuing his strong form this season. He slotted in just before Verstappen, while George Russell and Oscar Piastri completed the top five for Mercedes and McLaren, independently.

Still, Sainz’s Williams platoon-mate will face a servants’ disquisition after Q1 for allegedly replying to the circuit “unsafely”, an issue that could yet affect the final qualifying order.

Wet Weather Causes Chaos in Las Vegas Qualifying

The rain that arrived after FP3 dallied over the opening part of qualifying, leaving the track with sorrowfully low grip. Motorists tip-toed through corners as billabongs formed, and several plodded to keep their buses pointing in the right direction.

The biggest casualty was Lewis Hamilton, who endured one of the most frustrating qualifying sessions of his career.

The Ferrari motorist will start from P20 after striking a bollard during Q1, an unfortunate moment that appeared to lodge the object beneath his SF-25 just as he was preparing for his final drive stage. It marked the first time Hamilton has qualified last on pure pace in Formula 1.

With the rainfall easing in the later stages, the times improved, but the early chaos had formerly reshaped the field.

Liam Lawson continued to impress with sixth place for Racing Bulls, while expert Fernando Alonso put his Aston Martin seventh. Novitiate Isack Hadjar also delivered a composed performance to finish in eighth.

2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix – Qualifying Results