Motorsport photoAlex HarringtonSat, November 22, 2025 at 5:36 AM UTC·9 min readBoth Alex Albon and Gabriel Bortoleto described their qualifying sessions for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix as one of the most challenging wet sessions they've faced. This came as grip and visibility became a premium as rain hit the famous Strip circuit.
Both drivers were knocked out of qualifying in Q1 as the street circuit soaked up the Nevada rain. Williams' Albon will start 16th for tomorrow's race while Sauber's rookie driver Bortoleto sits two places behind him.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Frustrating in many ways," Albon told the media after a difficult session. "I think we just need to review where we were on track, because we were unfortunately in the slow group, where I think it was Lewis [Hamilton], myself, Liam [Lawson].
"I think at that time we were all just slow on track and I kept catching them all and getting into dirty air. I think in the end I had one clean lap, so I kind of had to make it count.
"It was my only clean lap, so I didn't really have any rhythm at all. It was okay. Made a mistake and that was it.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAsked about running on the full wet tyres in the poor conditions, the Thai-British driver admitted his surprise that the FIA didn't red-flag the session.
"I'm surprised we were driving, to be honest, in many ways. Like, the aquaplaning into Turn 14 was incredible. And it was a little bit of a lottery if you got it or not. But yeah, it was sketchy.”
The layout of the Sin City circuit, however, performs better than some in these conditions, the driver reported.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"The reason why the wet works is because there's not any long corners, high-speed corners to damage it. So it works well.
"I think you saw it work well in Canada a few years ago as well, like these tracks where it's just straight line braking and accelerating. It's good. But it was still, at least… I think everyone runs different ride heights, so you never know for sure, but it was still on the limit for sure. Yeah, it was sketchy.”
He added: “I think Turkey 2020 still tops it, but it was severe.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShould race control have intervened, and is there anything they can do about these tricky conditions?
“I think it's going to be the way it is and yeah, maybe call into question if we should have been driving. I think it could have been red-flagged and we could have gone again and stopped maybe some of the randomness of the aquaplaning.
"I think they could see that cars were aquaplaning and maybe could have done something about it a bit earlier, but at the same time I think it was okay.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, WilliamsBortoleto, after his first qualifying session in the third US race of the season, reported a drop in confidence.
“I felt very low grip and I feel like I couldn't extract a lot of grip I had in the last two laps. I think that's where I missed out mainly, was these last two laps.
"I lost a bit of confidence with the car. I felt like at the beginning of the session I was quite happy, braking late and feeling comfortable. And at the end I just felt like I had no confidence anymore.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFrom the cockpit, the conditions felt as bad as they looked to the drivers.
“It was zero grip, yeah. It was very bad, definitely. Yeah, definitely the worst I've been in a Formula 1 car.”
Despite the disappointing results, the Brazilian driver ended his Friday with a balanced outlook on his qualifying performance.
“I mean, it's raining, you know. When the rain is like this... it's also cool to be in these circumstances. We already have a lot of downforce in normal conditions. Sometimes you will be running in low conditions, and that's what makes Formula 1 fun as well, so that's it.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAdditional reporting by Ronald Vording.
Photos from Las Vegas GP - Practice and Qualifying
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25Peter Fox / Getty Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamGlenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamGlenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, WilliamsSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls TeamGuido De Bortoli
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 02
Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 02Kym Illman / Getty Images
James Vowles, Team Principal of Williams
James Vowles, Team Principal of WilliamsRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariGuido De Bortoli
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 Team
Isack Hadjar, RB F1 TeamJayce Illman / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL39
Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL39Chris Graythen / Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlex Albon, Williams FW47
Alex Albon, Williams FW47Jayce Illman / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB21, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 02
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB21, Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team VCARB 02Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-25
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-25Jayce Illman / Getty Images
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cassidy Towriss arrive in the Paddock
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cassidy Towriss arrive in the PaddockSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cassidy Towriss arrive in the Paddock
Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports and Cassidy Towriss arrive in the PaddockSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBen Affleck in the Paddock
Ben Affleck in the PaddockMichael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images
Ben Affleck in the Paddock
Ben Affleck in the PaddockMichael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull RacingMichael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing
Laurent Mekies, Red Bull RacingMichael Potts / LAT Images via Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAn Elvis impersonator in the Paddock during final practice
An Elvis impersonator in the Paddock during final practiceGlenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Blaise Matuidi in the Alpine F1 garage
Blaise Matuidi in the Alpine F1 garageSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Blaise Matuidi in the Alpine F1 garage
Blaise Matuidi in the Alpine F1 garageSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenGlenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenGlenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariGuido De Bortoli
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementYuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing TeamSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, FerrariSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineSam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin RacingSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, MercedesSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineGuido De Bortoli
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineGuido De Bortoli
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, AlpineSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Zak Brown, McLaren
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Zak Brown, McLarenZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Franco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineBryn Lennon / Formula 1 / Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Zak Brown, McLaren
Carlos Sainz, Williams, Zak Brown, McLarenSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenZak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingRudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenKym Illman / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariChris Graythen / Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariChris Graythen / Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFranco Colapinto, Alpine
Franco Colapinto, AlpineJayce Illman / Getty Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull RacingMark Sutton / Motorsport Images
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