The 2025 Formula 1 season returns to the United States for Round 22 — the Las Vegas Grand Prix — the opening event of a high-stakes triple-header that will decide this year’s world championship. Lando Norris arrives in Nevada with a 24-point lead over McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri after sweeping both the sprint and main race in São Paulo, while Max Verstappen sits 49 points behind with 83 still on the table.
The 50-lap race takes place under the lights of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit at 04:00 GMT on Sunday (20:00 local time on Saturday), with cool desert temperatures and a threat of rain adding further unpredictability as the title fight reaches its decisive phase.
Race and Session Times (GMT)
Saturday, 22 November:
Third Practice: 00:30–01:30
Qualifying: 04:00–05:00
Sunday, 23 November:
Race: 04:00
Weather Forecast
Las Vegas presents a unique challenge, with all competitive sessions running at night. Track conditions will be cool — around 12°C — creating a slippery surface and slower tyre warm-up. Light rain affected Thursday’s running, and further showers could impact qualifying, along with light winds across the Strip. However, Sunday’s Grand Prix is expected to take place in dry but chilly conditions.
Practice Headlines
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the opening practice session, showing strong pace early in the weekend. Lando Norris responded by going fastest in FP2 before the session was cut short due to a loose manhole cover at Turn 17, discovered with around 20 minutes remaining. Repairs were carried out ahead of Saturday’s action to ensure the track was safe for continued running.
Championship Picture
Norris cannot clinch the title this weekend — even a win combined with a non-scoring Piastri would leave the two separated by 49 points with 58 remaining after Las Vegas. The earliest the championship can be decided is at the following race in Qatar, which hosts the final sprint event of the season.
Should that scenario arise, Norris would need to outscore Piastri by two points in the Saturday sprint to seal his first world championship. With Verstappen also still mathematically in contention, the closing stages of the season promise high tension and little margin for error.
What to Expect
The 6.2km Las Vegas Strip Circuit is one of the fastest on the calendar, with long straights, heavy braking zones, and dramatic nighttime visuals. Cool temperatures typically favour teams with strong tyre warm-up characteristics, while the threat of rain could reset the competitive order entirely.
With McLaren looking to defend its championship lead, Piastri aiming to keep his hopes alive, and Verstappen searching for a late-season surge, Las Vegas sets the stage for another pivotal weekend in an unforgettable title battle.
