Lando Norris takes pole in rainy Las Vegas qualifying, Verstappen bumped to second
Formula 1’s title contenders have mastered the wet Las Vegas Strip in a rainy Friday night qualifying session. Championship leader Lando Norris takes pole for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Norris of McLaren secured the top spot after four-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen briefly led. Carlos Sainz Jr. nearly gave Williams its first pole since 2014 but was bumped to third. Norris has won three consecutive poles. He leads McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 24 points. Piastri qualified fifth, behind defending race winner George Russell. Lewis Hamilton struggled, finishing slowest in the 20-driver field.