Norris Secures Las Vegas Grand Prix Pole Position in Dramatic Wet Qualifying
Lando Norris of McLaren will start the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix from pole position after a stunning performance in qualifying, overcoming challenging wet conditions and a fiercely competitive field. The British driver clocked a blistering lap time of 1:47.934, securing the top spot ahead of championship rival Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
Wet Conditions Dominate Qualifying
Qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix unfolded under significantly different conditions than the preceding third practice session. With air temperatures hovering at just 12 degrees Celsius and the track surface at 13 degrees, rain fell throughout the session, forcing teams to strategically navigate tire choices. “The wet tyre seems to be the compound to be on right now,” one analyst observed, as drivers grappled with a slick and challenging circuit.
Q1 Chaos and Early Eliminations
The first qualifying segment, Q1, proved particularly treacherous. Several drivers struggled with the conditions, including Max Verstappen, who experienced a lock-up and briefly ran off track. Alexander Albon suffered a significant incident, hitting the wall and damaging his car, though he was able to return to the garage. Bearman also encountered an accident, but with less severe consequences. Ultimately, Albon, Antonelli, Bortoletto, Tsunoda, and a visibly frustrated Lewis Hamilton were eliminated from Q1. Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, admitted he “failed to get Pirelli’s wet tires to work,” highlighting the difficulty of finding grip.
Q2 Reshuffles the Order
The start of Q2 was briefly delayed, but soon saw Norris leading the field. Verstappen initially set the pace, but a bold gamble on slick tires by Aston Martin’s Stroll proved unsuccessful. As conditions remained wet, the order continued to shift, with Hulkenberg, Stroll, Ocon, Bearman, and Colapinto failing to advance to Q3. Russell once again posted the fastest time, setting the stage for a thrilling final segment.
Norris Claims Pole in Nail-Biting Q3
The final ten drivers headed out for Q3, all opting for intermediate tires. Leclerc initially set the fastest time, but was quickly surpassed by Sainz, then Norris and Piastri. A lock-up for Leclerc forced him to abandon a promising lap. Verstappen briefly took the lead with a time of 1:48.257, but Norris responded with a phenomenal lap of 1:48.384, only to be bettered again by Verstappen. In the end, it was Norris who secured pole position, finishing 0.323 seconds ahead of Verstappen. Sainz rounded out the top three, followed by Russell, Piastri, and Lawson. Alonso, Hajjar, Leclerc, and Gasly completed the top ten.
“It’s Lando Norris and Max Verstappen on the front row, with Carlos Sainz in P3!” exclaimed a commentator as the qualifying results were finalized. The stage is now set for a captivating Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Norris aiming to convert his pole position into a race victory.
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