Lando Norris clinches pole for F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025; Piastri in fifth

Formula One championship leader Lando Norris took pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday, with McLaren teammate and closest rival Oscar Piastri only fifth after a wet qualifying session.

Norris of McLaren took the highest 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.

He takes a 24-point lead over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri into Saturday night’s race, which will be Norris’ 150th career start — a mark that ties him for most in team history with David Coulthard.

Piastri qualified fifth, one spot behind defending race winner George Russell of Mercedes, as the Australian’s second-half of the season struggles continue.

Piastri dominated the early part of the season but has not won a race since the final day of August and has just one podium finish in the six races since.

There are three races remaining in the season.

Published on Nov 22, 2025