Lando Norris delivered a masterclass in the wet during qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, securing pole position in conditions that challenged even the most experienced Formula 1 drivers. His impressive lap placed him 0.323 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, reinforcing his growing authority in a title fight that could reach a decisive moment this weekend.
But while Norris appeared calm and focused, his words after qualifying revealed the inner tension facing a driver closing in on his first world championship.
Norris Takes Pole in “Shockingly Slippery” Conditions
The Las Vegas street circuit—already known for its low grip—became even more unpredictable after heavy rain. With water covering the oily surface of everyday roads, drivers spent the first two sessions on full wet tyres before switching to intermediates for the final shootout.
Norris, who has looked fast all weekend, was particularly strong once the track began to dry. His final lap was nearly flawless, aside from a brief slide through the Strip chicane that cost him time. Even so, he secured one of the most impressive poles of his career.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella called the lap “exceptional”, while Norris himself admitted these were some of the most difficult conditions he had ever encountered.
“It felt like driving on slicks in the rain,” Norris said. “The grip was so low. Wheelspin everywhere, constant lock-ups, and every painted line felt like ice.”
His pole means the last seven Las Vegas Grands Prix have been won from the front of the grid. If Norris continues that streak, he will be one step closer to sealing the championship.
Championship Picture: A Title Within Reach
Norris enters Sunday’s race 24 points ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and 49 points ahead of Max Verstappen. A win in Las Vegas could leave him in a near-clinching position heading into Qatar next week.
If Norris extends his lead over Verstappen by nine points, the four-time champion will be eliminated from mathematical contention. With only a few races left, every point is critical.
However, Norris insists he is not changing his approach:
“I’m here to win. I’m not here to avoid risk. But it’s still one step at a time—good start, good first lap, then build from there.”
The Verstappen Factor: A Battle Expected Into Turn 1
Starting alongside Norris is Max Verstappen—known for bold, uncompromising starts. The Dutch driver begins on the inside line and has shown before, including the 2023 Las Vegas race, that he’s not afraid to force competitors wide into Turn 1.
Norris acknowledged the challenge:
“Max is always aggressive. You can’t expect anything else. I’m ready for a fight the whole race.”
With cold tyres and minimal grip predicted at the start, the opening corner could prove decisive.
Piastri’s Fight Gets Harder
Oscar Piastri, once leading the championship, has seen his momentum collapse over recent races. A difficult weekend in Mexico followed by a crash and an in-race penalty in Brazil dropped him far behind Norris in the standings.
In Las Vegas, he scraped into Q3 after other teams made strategy errors, only to face a yellow flag on his final flying lap—forcing him to abandon an attempt at improving his time. He will start fifth, a result that adds pressure as he tries to keep his title hopes alive.
“Yes, it makes things harder,” Piastri admitted. “But it’s Vegas—anything can happen. The races here are always wild.”
McLaren’s Plan: Clean Start, Clean Race
Team principal Andrea Stella, who has been through multiple world championship battles at Ferrari alongside legends such as Schumacher, Raikkonen, and Alonso, emphasized the importance of keeping calm.
“We take it one race at a time. Lando just needs to keep executing as he has been,” Stella said. “Low grip at Turn 1 and Turn 3 will be tricky. The key is a clean first lap and a smooth race.”
With both McLaren drivers starting in the top five, the team is positioned for another strong weekend—if they can avoid the chaos that Las Vegas has produced in the past.
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