Motorsport photoAlex HarringtonSat, November 22, 2025 at 6:43 AM UTC·8 min readFernando Alonso seems to be one of the few drivers smiling after Las Vegas delivered a treacherously wet qualifying session on Friday night. He achieved an impressive seventh-place start for the grand prix as several drivers struggled in the poor conditions.
“More fun than what I thought," the Spaniard said on his rainy Friday session. "Even one hour ago when I jumped in the car, I thought it could be an extremely difficult session because even on dry tyres we don't have much grip on this track.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"And I thought it's going to be a long evening, full of red flags and incidents and things like that. And nothing happened. So the track conditions and the tyres worked really well, better than expected. We had a fun session, it was nice to drive and I did enjoy it,” he said.
While several drivers described the Strip as close to undriveable in the rain, with the word 'sketchy' being thrown around by many, Alonso added that he'd faced tougher conditions in the past.
“I was expecting that level of difficulty, but as I said, maybe it was not that difficult. I think there are places like Austria, I would say Brazil as well, with some of the rivers crossing the track, that we have this groove, tarmac and things like that, that has been more challenging than today, if I say so. As I said, it was not too bad.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBoth Alonso and his team-mate Lance Stroll launched an immediate attack on the top of the timesheets as they made the most of a cautious start from the pack.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing“Lap one, that's our strength," he laughed. "The others, they have the car to take it easy, build their confidence lap by lap. And then in Q2, the track is a little bit drier, they keep pushing. In Q3, the track is a little bit drier and you finish in your natural position, more or less.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"But in Q1, we took some risks. The team was very spot-on on the tyre choice. We were very competitive, but we knew that we would fall back a little bit in Q2 and Q3. But anyway, P7 was unthinkable, probably two hours ago, before quali.
"Today, I'm extremely happy and proud of the team as well, and we take this P7.”
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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLewis 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
Alexander 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJames 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
Alex 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDan 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
Ben 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLaurent 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
An 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBlaise 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
Lance 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLewis 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
Yuki 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGeorge 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
Lance 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
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 TeamSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenGuido De Bortoli
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
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCharles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, FerrariSimon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLarenGlenn Dunbar / 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
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLarenGlenn Dunbar / LAT Images via 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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