In a dramatic, rain-soaked qualifying session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a commanding performance to seize pole position, dealing a significant blow to his closest championship rival, teammate Oscar Piastri, who could only manage fifth.
Norris, who now leads Piastri by 24 points with just three races remaining, mastered the treacherous conditions to beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by over three-tenths of a second. This marks his third consecutive pole, solidifying his status as the man to beat in the title fight.
The session was defined by a slippery track following heavy rain, forcing drivers onto extreme wet tyres early on. While Norris was unremarkable in the initial downpour, he became untouchable once the circuit evolved enough for intermediate tyres in the top-ten shootout.
His final lap was not without drama. “That was stressful, stressful as hell,” Norris admitted after a heart-stopping moment where he clipped a kerb and snapped sideways. “As soon as you hit the kerb a little bit wrong… it’s tricky. But it was good enough for pole.”
The error triggered a yellow flag that proved costly for those behind him, most critically his teammate Piastri. The Australian was forced to back off on his own final flying lap, ruining his chance to challenge for the front row. “There was more out there that we didn’t get to use,” a frustrated Piastri stated, though he remained hopeful for the race.
Best of the Rest and a Shocking Exit
Williams’ Carlos Sainz impressed with a strong third place, ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell. The session’s biggest shock, however, was the elimination of Lewis Hamilton in Q1. The seven-time champion qualified a dismal 20th, complaining he “could not get his tyres to work” and labeling the result “a shame” after showing strong pace in earlier practice.
With Verstappen starting alongside him on the front row, Norris faces a severe threat into the first corner. But from a strategic standpoint, he has maximized his opportunity, placing his title rival firmly in his mirrors before the race even begins.
By James Kisoo
