Norris and Verstappen brawl incoming after front row lockout in Vegas GP
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated:
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A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Lando Norris got pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen in P2 and Carlos Sainz in P3.
Photo: Race Pictures
How it happened
Q1
The session took place in mixed conditions as the Las Vegas weather set loose over Las Vegas.
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The drivers that took to the track did so with intermediate tyres. Aston Martin though, called their drivers in quickly to make the switch to full wets.
Lando Norris, alongside Isack Hadjar, George Russell and Max Verstappen struggled at the start of the session due to the conditions with Norris complaining he was unable to keep the car on the track.
Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso were the first drivers to set laps on full wets, and their times remained unbeaten by a large portion of the session as Verstappen with seven minutes remaining on the clock was still to put in a lap and was down in P19 along with Oscar Piastri, Yuki Tsunoda, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Carlos Sainz all had lap times deleted for track limits violations,. However, the Spaniard's following lap would see him take P1 over Alonso, Norris and teammate Alexander Albon. Verstappen would then take the top spot, as Norris who was setting purple sectors at the time, couldn't hang on to his MCL39 at the end of the lap.
Oliver Bearman triggered yellow flags at Turn 14, with Lewis Hamilton trying to escape the danger zone as Albon crashed into the barriers ahead of the British champion, who failed to make it through to Q2.
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Eliminated: Alexander Albon, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton.
Q2
Norris led the field out in Q2, with all drivers still on the full wet tyre. The lead was exchinging hands by the minute almost, with Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar finding themselves in the top spots during the session.
As Q2 entered into the final three minutes Sainz took over from Verstappen as Russell could only manage third. As the chequered falg waved, Russell topped the charts ahead of Hadjar, Sainz, Norris and Verstappen.
Elimination: Nico Hulkenberg, Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman, Franco Colapinto.
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Q3
Despite Verstappen and Russell showing pace earlier on, Norris and Piastri dominated the session as the circuit dried up. The British McLaren driver put in a lap ove five tenths quicker than Piastri and more than eight tenths faster than Verstappen in P3. Despite Sainz' late surge to the top, the Dutch driver retook the the lead, albeit briefly.
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