David Coulthard delivers ‘ugly’ verdict on Lando Norris’ Las Vegas Grand Prix pole

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Lando Norris took another step towards the Formula 1 title by taking pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Norris finished nearly three-tenths clear of Max Verstappen.

Norris came alive during Q3 at the end of a treacherous qualifying, the first-ever wet session at the Strip circuit. He’s now taken three poles in a row, the longest run of his career.

Oscar Piastri was only fifth after a run-in with Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar on his final lap. If the race were to finish in this order, Norris would lead by 34 points heading to Qatar, putting him on the brink of the championship.

McLaren weren’t expecting to be pacesetters this weekend given their past form in Vegas. In that sense, Norris can consider this a bonus result.

Lando Norris survives ‘ugly’ end to Las Vegas Grand Prix pole lap

Norris could be seen sliding through the sector-three chicane after blitzing the field through the first two-thirds of the lap. He had to correct a snap of oversteer that could easily have landed him in the barriers.

In the end, the Briton had enough margin that he could survive the resulting loss of time. Norris sounded surprised over the radio when Will Joseph informed him he was on pole.

Speaking on F1TV’s coverage of the session, Jolyon Palmer and David Coulthard agreed that Norris’ lap had been ‘ugly’, but ultimately effective.

“Norris hanging onto it, and he managed to cling on for pole,” Palmer said. “It wasn’t the prettiest way to get through that final sector. It was actually nearly a second down on what Sainz did in that final sector. It shows how much he lost nearly hitting the wall.

Coulthard added: “It was a bit ugly at the end, but it was certainly full commitment, and a further stamp on his quest to pick up his first world championship.”

Jenson Button disagrees with David Coulthard on Lando Norris’ pole

Norris had the advantage of ‘the driest track possible’ when he delivered his pole lap. Piastri was behind him but he’d already aborted.

Sky Sports pundit Jenson Button called Norris’ effort ‘beautiful’.

“He did it when it counted,” said the 2009 world champion. “The driest track possible, gave it his all, and put in a beautiful lap.”

Norris surprised Helmut Marko with his practice pace, and he maintained it under pressure in wet conditions.

While he joins the Briton on the front row, Verstappen knows he’ll be eliminated from title contention if he’s outscored by 10 or more points.