Max Verstappen has won the Las Vegas Grand Prix. After seizing the lead in a decisive move on the opening lap, Verstappen managed his tyres to perfection, fended off the advances of Lando Norris and George Russell and crossed the line over 20 seconds clear of the field. It may mean very little with regards to the world championship, but with this result, Verstappen has closed to within 12 points of second place in the overall standings.
After storming to pole yesterday, Norris had to make do with second in the race. Under pressure from a fast-starting Verstappen off the line, Norris swiftly cut him off, only to run wide at turn one and lose out to both Verstappen and George Russell.
Russell initially pressured Verstappen for the lead but was forced to abandon his charge as his tyres fell away. Russell retained second after the first round of pit stops but eventually succumbed to Norris’ charge on lap 33. However, the championship leader reported a fuel issue in the closing stages of the grand prix, which allowed Russell to eat into his advantage. In the end, Norris hung on to take second by just 2.8 seconds. Despite describing the race as not one of his best, Norris’s championship lead now stands at 30 points.
Further back, Oscar Piastri’s fading championship hopes suffered yet another blow. Starting fifth, Piastri was tagged by Liam Lawson at turn one and lost out to a resurgent Charles Leclerc during the opening exchanges. He later spent the majority of his first stint stuck behind Isack Hadjar before duelling with Kimi Antonelli in the closing stages. Fifth on the road, Piastri was elevated to fourth thanks to a five-second penalty for Antonelli. However, that was of little consolation to the Australian, who acknowledged his decline in form and admitted that he is no longer in total control of his own title bid, such is the points gap between himself and Norris.
After qualifying 17th and receiving a five-second penalty for jumping the start, Kimi Antonelli’s race looked to be a lost cause. However, a 48-lap final stint, as well as the Mercedes’ formidable race pace, allowed the rookie to surge through the field, finish ahead of Piastri on track and hold on for fifth place. A brilliant result given his Saturday woes.
Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc enjoyed a rapid first stint on the medium tyres to briefly run as high as fifth. Despite a slight drop-off in pace, Leclerc was able to finish sixth, narrowly missing out on passing Antonelli once the latter’s penalty was applied.
With no rainfall on race day, Carlos Sainz was unable to hold on to the impressive third he secured in qualifying. However, the Spaniard did enough to hang on to seventh, scoring eight crucial championship points.
Isack Hadjar enjoyed a few punchy exchanges with Piastri and Leclerc en route to eighth ahead of Nico Hülkenberg, who scored points for the third time in the last four races. After a disappointing qualifying, Lewis Hamilton evaded the opening lap chaos and put in a solid first stint to secure the final points-paying position in tenth, while the two Haas’ of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman came home in 11th and 12th respectively. Fernando Alonso finished 13th ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson (who was forced to make an early pitstop after his first corner collision with Piastri) and Franco Colapinto.
Alex Albon was forced to retire after damage incurred from contact with Hamilton, while Gabriel Bortoleto lost control at the first corner and took both himself and Lance Stroll out of contention.
Verstappen may have hit the jackpot in Vegas, but with Norris now 30 points clear, it now seems to be a matter of when, not if, the Brit takes his first world championship. Something he could do at the very next race in Qatar.
