It felt like running on a soapy track, that of Vegas, which however always gives emotions. Shots of scene to no end, but in the end the pole goes to the most consistent man of this season finale, Lando Norris (1’47″934), on a McLaren with a stronger set-up than its rivals. Then Max Verstappen (2nd) at 323 thousandths.
True MVP of the day he is Carlos Sainz (3rd), but investigated for returning to the track in a dangerous manner under the yellow flag in Q1, therefore the Mercedes Of George Russell (4th), who took a big risk because the Brackley team delivered the setup sheets to the FIA late.
Risk averted given that the shipment had been made, but it arrived at its destination after the deadline due to some connection problems. Male this time too Ferrari: Charles Leclerc he is 9th, not improving in the final due to a crash on the last attempt, Lewis Hamilton 20° and last (never had this happened in my career without technical failures).
The Englishman did not complete his last attempt at the end Q1 because he was misled by the red flag displayed on the monitors above the starting line. The rule, however, dictates that the time detection line must be crossed at the start of the straight, and the seven-time world champion had taken it in time, not closing but il giro and thus being eliminated. Also released in the first stint Andrea Kimi Antonelli (17°).
They closed the top-10: Oscar Piastri (5th), long in the final while trying to overtake Isack Hadjar (8th), then Liam Lawson (6°), Fernando Alonso (7°) e Pierre Gasly (10th). On Sunday the race takes place at 5am in the Italian morning, live on Sky Sport F1, deferred on TV8 at 2pm.
The comment
vegas needs no introduction when it comes to eventful qualifications and this time too the plan was respected. The combination of pouring rain, 13 degrees on the asphalt and almost non-existent grip transformed the session in a exercise Of survival more than in a hunt for pole.
In the midst of continua errors e corrections at the limit, Norris took control of the situation by winning the start at the pole with a extraordinary ride precision — on a car that is uncatchable in the flying lap but which, with the dry asphalt in the race, could suffer a little compared to a Red Bull more discharged — in front of a Verstappen who never stopped trying for the big shot despite a car that was ineffective in finding grip.
A last wet pole hasn’t been seen since Brazil 2024 (Lando Norris), in a street circuit from Monte Carlo 2013 (Nico Rosberg). To face these conditions the skill of the great pilot was needed and in this Sainz he pulled off an experienced performance, slipping into the 3rd place its one Williams who prefers these conditions, so much so that he puts himself behind the Mercedes of a Russell lively in the third free practice, on a dry track, and then behind the team Grove.
This proves the bravura of Spanish, whereas the car of Silver Arrows was regarded as one of the favorite for the pole: aided by the low temperatures, the rain certainly didn’t help. In mid-table, however, the qualification had very serious effects on the world championship fight.
Oscar Piastri, only 5th after a long shot on his last attempt, also disturbed by Hadjar on the return lap of the French-Algerian, he leaves the session with the awareness that the gap are Norris it could now become irrecoverable. The Australian will have to hold on to a perfect Sunday so as not to see his world championship hopes disappear once and for all, and to think that after the Netherlands he had a 34 point advantage over Lando. Excellent Gasly, with the French capable of carrying l’Alpine further than expected, enough to put out the Sauber Of Nico Hulkenberg (11th) — someone who knows a lot about qualifying — on the last attempt of Q2.
On the Ferrari front, unfortunately the picture is the usual one: the potential glimpsed Friday did not find continuity. Leclerc saw a possible better placing disappear due to a lock-up on the decisive lap. The bitterness of the Monegasque it’s clear, yet another of the season vented after the session: “I always went strong in the wetbut we never find the feeling in the rain. Every time it rains we already know what to expect.”
The use more painful but it is that of Hamilton, that will even leave from last place. The error arose from a misunderstanding with the light signal above the finish line, which led him to interrupt a lap that he could have completed regularly according to the procedure. A lightness very rare for him, made even more bitter by the fact that the tires had never entered their optimal range, so much so that English it would hardly have exceeded the Q1 cut.
The same not passed by Antonelli, failed to exploit the last chances of Q1 and suddenly woken up after the dream weekend in Brazil. Kimi pays for the harsh climatic conditions of Nevada. Him too, like Hamilton, he is called to make a great comeback.
THE STARTING GRID
1. Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1’47″934
2. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1’48″257
3. Carlos Sainz (Esp) Williams 1’48″296
4. George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes 1’48″803
5. Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1’48″961
6. Liam Lawson (Nzl) Racing Bulls 1’49″062
7. Fernando Alonso (Esp) Aston Martin 1’49″466
8. Isack Hadjar (Fra) Racing Bulls 1’49″554
9. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1’49″872
10. Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1’51″540
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Kick Sauber 1’52″781
12. Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1’52″850
13. Esteban Ocon (From) Alpine 1’52″987
14. Oliver Bearman (Gbr) Haas 1’53″094
15. Franco Colapinto (Arg) Alpine 1’53″683
16. Alexader Albon (Tha) Williams 1’56″220
17. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Ita) Mercedes 1’56″314
18. Gabriel Bortoleto (Bra) Kick Sauber 1’56″674
19. Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) Red Bull 1’56″798
20. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Ferrari 1’57″115
