Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has secured pole position for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.
After the opening practice session was marred by a manhole cover that caused damage to Carlos Sainz Jr's Ferrari, there had been a level of intrigue as to who would be fastest in qualifying.
That proved to be Leclerc, who was quicker than already-crowned world champion Max Verstappen during all three sessions to seal first on the grid.
Although Sainz was second, his punishment for the repairs made to his car push him down, leaving Red Bull's Verstappen to join Leclerc on the front row.
FULL QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION 👀#LasVegasGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/j7YELGb03W
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 18, 2023
George Russell and Pierre Gasly - in the Mercedes and Alpine respectively - will start third and fourth respectively, with Williams pair Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant impressing to feature in fifth and sixth position.
Sainz is all the way down in 12th, with Valtteri Bottas, Kevin Magnussen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez all moving up a place.
Las Vegas Boulevard traffic troubles 🫣
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 18, 2023
It was a busy end to the first part of qualifying! 🚦#LasVegasGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/yjhpaklQiu
The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri endured a disappointing qualifying to start the race in 16th and 19th position respectively.
At a time when Ferrari look well placed to close the 20-point gap on second-placed Mercedes in the Constructors Championship, McLaren had work to do in order to prevent Aston Martin from reducing the 21-point margin to fourth.
Darren Plant
