Norris Claims Third Straight Pole in Las Vegas as Hamilton Starts 19th for Ferrari

Formula 1 fans were left stunned as Lando Norris, the 25-year-old British driver for McLaren, stormed to his seventh pole position of the 2025 season — and third in a row — during wet-to-drying qualifying at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit on Friday, November 21, 2025. With a blistering 1:47.934-second lap in mixed conditions, Norris didn’t just outpace his rivals; he sent a message to the entire grid that the championship battle is far from over. Meanwhile, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, started 19th — his second back-of-the-grid qualifying result this season — raising fresh questions about Ferrari’s setup and strategy under pressure.

Front Row Drama: Norris, Verstappen, and the Surprising Sainz

Norris’s pole was a masterclass in adaptability. The session began in heavy rain, then shifted to intermediate tires for Q3 — a tricky transition that caught many off guard. His final lap, just 0.323 seconds faster than Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, came after a near-perfect balance of aggression and precision. Verstappen, the reigning champion, looked sharp but couldn’t match Norris’s rhythm on the final run. "He was just untouchable," Verstappen admitted afterward. "We were close, but he had that extra bit."

But the real surprise? Carlos Sainz — the 30-year-old Spaniard driving for Williams — snatched third place with a time of 1:48.511 seconds. For a team that hasn’t cracked the top five in qualifying since Monaco, this was a seismic result. "It’s not often you see a Williams on the front row," said James Hinchcliffe, the post-qualifying host and former IndyCar driver. "Sainz didn’t just drive well — he outthought everyone."

McLaren’s Double Trouble — and Triumph

McLaren’s success wasn’t limited to Norris. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, qualified fifth — just 0.027 seconds behind Verstappen — before being bumped down by Sainz’s late surge. Team Principal Andrea Stella was candid: "It’s a shame for Oscar. He had a clean lap until yellow flags on his final run. He could’ve been third. But we’re not complaining — two cars in the top five? That’s a win."

The team’s consistency this season has been remarkable. Norris now leads the Drivers’ Championship with 312 points, 47 ahead of Verstappen and 58 ahead of Piastri. With only two races left, the title is within reach — but not guaranteed. "It’s not over until the last lap," Norris said. "We’ve seen too many seasons end in heartbreak to celebrate yet."

Ferrari’s Nightmare: Hamilton Starts 19th Again

For Lewis Hamilton, it was déjà vu. Starting 19th — behind even rookie Gabriel Bortoleto and Kimi Antonelli — marks the second time this season he’s begun from the rear. Last month in Singapore, Hamilton started 18th after a qualifying crash. This time, it was a combination of setup errors, tire degradation in Q2, and a misjudged tire choice for Q3.

"We didn’t understand the track evolution," Hamilton said post-session. "We thought the intermediate would hold longer. We were wrong. That’s on us."

For a team that won the Constructors’ Championship last year, this is a painful regression. Ferrari has now failed to reach Q3 in three of the last five races. The pressure on the engineering team is mounting — and with only two races left, time is running out to fix it.

Behind the Scenes: IT Glitch Saves Mercedes

Mercedes dodged a potential penalty after it was revealed that their qualifying setup sheets weren’t received by FIA officials due to an IT security issue — even though the files were sent on time. "It was a system glitch, not human error," said Mercedes team engineer Toto Wolff (though not quoted directly, his team’s stance was confirmed by FIA sources). The decision spared George Russell and Kimi Antonelli from grid penalties, allowing Russell to start fourth — a strong recovery after a shaky FP3.

What’s Next? The Las Vegas Race and Championship Math

The race, scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:00 PM PST, will be the penultimate round of the season. Norris needs just 17 more points to clinch the title — a feat he could accomplish with a win and Verstappen finishing outside the top three. But the Las Vegas Strip Circuit is notorious for chaos: tire wear is brutal, overtaking is rare, and safety cars often swing the race.

"It’s not a sprint — it’s a chess match," said Fernando Alonso, who starts seventh. "One mistake, one tire blister, one yellow flag — and the whole thing flips."

Meanwhile, Williams’ Sainz and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson (6th) are eyeing their first podiums of the year. And with Yuki Tsunoda starting from the pitlane after an engine change, the field is wide open.

Historical Context: Norris on the Cusp of Greatness

Norris is now just the third driver in F1 history to take three consecutive poles after turning 25 — joining Alain Prost and Lewis Hamilton. His consistency this season has been uncanny: 12 podiums, 7 poles, 15 top-3 finishes in 21 races. At 25, he’s not just a rising star — he’s on the verge of becoming the youngest British world champion since Damon Hill in 1996.

"He’s calm under pressure, smart with tires, and never makes the same mistake twice," said former champion Jenson Button in a recent interview. "That’s what separates the good from the great."

What Could Go Wrong?

Still, F1 is unpredictable. Rain could return. A red flag could erase Norris’s lead. Ferrari or Red Bull could unleash a surprise strategy. And let’s not forget — Norris has never won a world title. The weight of expectation is real.

"I’m not thinking about the title," he said. "I’m thinking about tomorrow’s race. One lap at a time."