Max Verstappen wins the Las Vegas Grand Prix as McLaren’s duo is disqualified
- La Voz Latina
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Written by: Henry Quach 🇻🇳
Formula One returned for its final United States race, heading to the bright city lights in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which marked the 22nd round of the 2025 F1 season, out of a total of 24 races.
After a rainy qualifying session, all teams had to use the rare wet tires, which allow the vehicles the most grip on wet tracks. However, it is the most risky time to drive due to the mist that can accumulate, making visibility a major concern.
It was a last-minute battle for pole position, which is the most favorable spot to start the race, with many gaining the provisional pole, such as Williams driver Carlos Sainz and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Still, McLaren driver Lando Norris drove an impressive lap to take the provisional pole.
Before every race can begin, all drivers must complete a formation lap, which allows them to get familiar with the track and for the team to assess whether the weather conditions could affect their original plan and whether they need to change strategies.
As the formation lap is complete, the race begins, and the drivers face a reaction test to the five lights going off, which could benefit or hurt their potential start.
As the five lights counted down, handled by F1 starter Christian Bryll, it was lights out, and the 50-lap race of the Las Vegas Grand Prix began. It was a chaotic start as Norris tried to block off Verstappen’s attempt to take the lead, but made a mistake on his own and went off the track.
Verstappen and Mercedes driver George Russell took advantage of Norris' mistake, with Verstappen taking the lead, and Russell second during the first-lap drama.
However, during the first turn drama with the leaders, it also occurred at the back of the grid as well, with Racing Bulls’ driver Liam Lawson's tires locking up, causing contact with McLaren’s driver Oscar Piastri, while Aston Martin's driver Fernando Alonso hit Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had to go off track.
Additionally, Kick Sauber’s driver, Gabriel Bortoleto’s tires locked up and ran straight into Aston Martin’s driver, Lance Stroll, who also crashed, causing Alpine driver Pierre Gasly to spin out on that turn.
After that messy first lap, a virtual safety car was called on lap two, allowing drivers to run at only 40% of their normal effort to allow the marshals to clean up the damage caused by the cars.
However, while the virtual safety car was announced, Stroll’s and Gabriel's race was over due to their car damage being too severe to fix in time to return for the race, and their night was over.
On lap five, Leclerc easily got past Haas driver Oliver Bearman, and just seven laps later, he did the same thing to Piastri. Then, on the next lap, he does the same to Isack Hadjar.
On lap 14, after being involved in the first-lap mess, Albon was again in a bad position. After Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton passed Albon, Albon attempted to reclaim the position but damaged the front of his car in the process, forcing him to pit to change a part.
Piastri was able to make up two places after passing Hadjar on lap 16, then six laps later, he did the same to Sainz.
On Lap 34, Norris was able to pass Russell for second place, in hopes of chasing down Verstappen.
However, Verstappen was way too far ahead of the pack and won the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Norris finishing second and Russell finishing third. However, the finishing grid changed after inspection.
After finishing the race, the remaining drivers need to have their cars checked to ensure they meet inspections and regulations, and after inspection, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile decided to disqualify Norris and Piastri because both of their cars did not meet the required post-race regulations inspection of the plank material placed underneath their cars.
Plank material protects the bottom of the car throughout the race, and running in a low setting can make the car faster for turns in the corners but could cause tire grip to be lost.
Both McLarens were disqualified due to their plank material weighing less than the required amount of nine millimeters, with Norris under by 0.19 millimeters and Piastri by 0.40 millimeters.
So, after inspection, the Mercedes duo of Russell and Antonelli claim the last two podium spots. The move now makes the driver's championship more competitive.
Verstappen now ties with Piastri in second in the championship standings and is now only 24 points behind leader Norris.
This is the first of the final three races of the season, and the teams will now head to Qatar for the Qatar Grand Prix as the championship battle continues to brew ahead for Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen.
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