Norris Secures Las Vegas Grand Prix Pole, Tightens Grip on Championship Lead
las Vegas, Nevada – November 23, 2024 – Lando Norris of McLaren seized pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix today, bolstering his championship lead as the Formula 1 season nears its conclusion. The Briton edged out reigning champion Max Verstappen in a challenging qualifying session, while McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri qualified in fifth.
Norris’s performance on the tricky Las Vegas Street Circuit puts him 24 points ahead of Piastri with a maximum of 83 points still available. He bested Verstappen by a critically important margin, completing a lap nearly a second faster than his rival. Piastri’s qualifying run was hampered by a yellow flag during a crucial lap.
Behind the front two, George Russell (Mercedes), last year’s Las Vegas winner, secured fourth place, followed by a surprising performance from Carlos Sainz (Williams) in third. New Zealander Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) took sixth, ahead of aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar.
Further down the grid, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) qualified ninth, ahead of Pierre Gasly (Alpine).Fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Haas) will start 13th, just ahead of teammate Oliver Bearman.
The qualifying session proved particularly difficult for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari). The Briton struggled with the conditions and failed to progress beyond Q1, starting the race from 20th and last position. Hamilton expressed frustration over the radio, stating he “couldn’t get the tires up to temperature.”
The Las Vegas Grand Prix promises a thrilling race as Norris aims to capitalize on his pole position and extend his championship advantage, while Piastri looks to recover ground in his pursuit of the title.