Max Verstappen wins the Las Vegas Grand Prix in style

Max Verstappen secured a commanding victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, while Lando Norris’s second-place finish extended his lead in the Formula 1 championship standings. On Saturday night under the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip, Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claimed his second win at this event by overtaking pole-sitter Norris at the first corner and dominating the race from start to finish. He crossed the line over 20 seconds ahead, showcasing his skill on the challenging street circuit and keeping his slim title hopes alive in a season that has seen a dramatic late surge from the Dutch driver. Norris, driving for McLaren, started from pole position but made an aggressive defensive move at the start that caused him to run wide, allowing Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell to pass him. Despite recovering to second place after overtaking Russell later in the race, Norris faced car issues in the closing laps that forced him to slow his pace, though he managed to hold off Russell to secure valuable championship points. This outcome has profound implications for the title battle, with Norris now leading the standings with 408 points, his teammate Oscar Piastri in second with 378, and Verstappen third with 366. With only two races remaining in the season—in Qatar and Abu Dhabi—and a maximum of 58 points up for grabs, Norris can clinch his first world championship in Qatar if he maintains a lead of 25 points or more after that race. Verstappen’s win marks his sixth victory of the 2025 season and his fourth in the last seven races since the summer break, transforming what was once a fading campaign into a compelling late charge. Piastri finished a distant fourth in Las Vegas, continuing a streak of not finishing ahead of Norris since the Dutch Grand Prix in August, and he acknowledged the uphill battle but vowed to push for wins in the remaining events. The race weekend was not without off-track drama, as the McLaren cars of Norris and Piastri are under investigation for skid wear issues that could lead to disqualification, adding uncertainty to the championship picture. Additionally, Friday’s qualifying session was thrown into chaos by rain, making the low-grip track treacherous and testing drivers’ limits, with Norris securing pole position under those challenging conditions. Beyond the racing, the event drew a star-studded crowd including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and other celebrities, and highlighted the economic benefits for Las Vegas, with last year’s Grand Prix contributing nearly $1 billion to the local economy. F1’s growing popularity in the United States was evident, supported by new broadcast deals and high attendance, setting the stage for an intense conclusion to the season in the coming weeks.