George Russell produced a stunning lap to claim pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix as Max Verstappen boosted his chances of sealing the world championship by beating Lando Norris.
After Mercedes had topped all three practice sessions at the stunning street circuit, Russell maintained the Silver Arrows’ impressive pace to edge out Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by almost a tenth of a second.
Pierre Gasly took a shock third for Alpine as the rapidly improving surface created unpredictably in the closing stages, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fourth.
Red Bull’s Verstappen, who can seal a fourth successive drivers’ title by finishing ahead of Norris in the race – live on Sky Sports F1 at 6am on Sunday – edged out Norris by finishing a place ahead of the McLaren in fifth.
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Williams suffer another huge crash as Franco Colapinto loses three wheels from a big impact in Q2
Norris must gain three points on Verstappen to ensure the title battle continues to the penultimate round of the season in Qatar next weekend.
Lewis Hamilton had appeared to be his team-mate Russell’s main rival for pole position after impressing in practice and the early stages of Qualifying, but made errors on each of his flying laps in Q3 and will start 10th.
Yuki Tsunoda impressed to beat Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to seventh, while Nico Hulkenberg was ninth for Haas.
Sergio Perez’s Qualifying struggles continued as the under pressure Red Bull driver was knocked out in Q1 for the fifth time this season.
Williams’ Franco Colapinto, who has been touted as a possible replacement for Perez if Red Bull decide to make a change next season, potentially harmed his hopes of that move by crashing heavily at the end of Q2 in an incident which caused a 20-minute delay.
Las Vegas GP Qualifying: Top 10
1) George Russell, Mercedes
2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
3) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
4) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
5) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
6) Lando Norris, McLaren
7) Yuki Tsunoda, RB
8) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
9) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
10) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
Sky Sports F1’s live Las Vegas GP schedule
Sunday November 24
4.30am: Grand Prix Sunday: Las Vegas GP build-up*
6am: THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX*
8am: Chequered Flag: Las Vegas GP reaction*
9am: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 returns with the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1, where Max Verstappen could seal the championship. Stream the final three F1 races and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime