Oscar Piastri’s quest to regain momentum in the Formula One title race faced another setback as his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, clinched pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The qualifying session, plagued by persistent rain, tested drivers with perilously slippery conditions, leaving Piastri unable to challenge the front of the grid.
Piastri was half a second behind Norris on his penultimate lap, but his final flying lap was nullified by a yellow flag when Charles Leclerc went off at Turn 12. Compounding the issue, Isack Hadjar misjudged the signal and forced Piastri into the run-off area, highlighting the razor-thin margins and split-second decisions inherent in elite racing.
Norris exploited the conditions with precision, surpassing Max Verstappen to secure pole, while Verstappen, though competitive, could not match the Briton’s timing. Carlos Sainz maintained his consistent form, qualifying third despite an investigation into an alleged unsafe re-entry that was ultimately dismissed by the stewards.
The session marked Piastri’s fourth consecutive start outside the top three and his first absence from pole since the Dutch Grand Prix, underscoring the challenges he faces. Analysts stressed that strategic execution on race day could still enable him to recover positions, even on the unforgiving streets of Las Vegas.
Elsewhere, seasoned drivers also struggled. Lewis Hamilton qualified at the back for the first time on pure pace, while Alex Albon suffered front-wing damage, illustrating how wet conditions and street-circuit unpredictability create a demanding crucible for skill, mental toughness, and tactical acumen, promising a tense and unpredictable Grand Prix.
About the Author
