F1 Las Vegas GP 2025: Norris Starts On Pole With Verstappen In Second

Formula 1’s title contenders mastered the wet and slick Las Vegas Strip in a rainy Friday night qualifying session that saw championship leader Lando Norris take pole. Norris of McLaren took the top starting spot at the Las Vegas Grand Prix at the line after four-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen had jumped to the top of the board. But the Red Bull driver, who won the inaugural Las Vegas race in 2023 and took his fourth straight title last year was only there a few moments before Norris bumped him down a stop. Carlos Sainz Jr. briefly flirted with giving Williams its first pole since 2014 but was quickly knocked down to third by Norris and Verstappen. Norris has won three consecutive poles since reclaiming control of the championship race.

Updated on: 22 November 2025 3:43 pm

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Lando Norris

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Great Britain celebrates after a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Eric Gay

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen

From left, first place finisher McLaren driver Lando Norris of Great Britain, third place finisher Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain, and second place finisher Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlandspose celebrate after a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Eric Gay

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Max Verstappen

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands drives during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Eric Gay

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli Italy drives during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/John Locher

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McLaren driver Lando Norris of Great Britain drives during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/John Locher

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Charles Leclerc

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco drives during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/John Locher

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Oscar Piastri

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia drives during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/John Locher

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-George Russell

Mercedes driver George Russell of Great Britain drives during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/John Locher

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Yuki Tsunoda

Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda of Japan leaves the pits during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix Auto Race in Las Vegas. | Photo: Cristobal Herrera Ulashkevich/Pool Photo via AP

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F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Qualifying-Fernando Alonso

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain leaves the pits during a qualifying session at the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix Auto Race, in Las Vegas. | Photo: Cristobal Herrera Ulashkevich/Pool Photo via AP