Max Verstappen wins at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but the evening actually favoured Lando Norris, who came in second and strengthened his grip on the Formula 1 World Championship. The McLaren racer increased his advantage over teammate Oscar Piastri to 30 points positioning himself close, to clinching his world championship with two races and a sprint left.
Verstappen dominated the race after seizing the lead from the beginning ultimately crossing the finish line over 20 seconds ahead. This victory was his overall and his eighth straight podium finish. George Russell secured place, for Mercedes marking his 150th Grand Prix appearance celebrated alongside Norris.
Piastri finished in place but this was only after Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli received a five-second penalty for a false start. The Australian currently has 378 points while Verstappen remains mathematically in contention for the championship, with 366 points.
Norris briefly fell back after going at Turn 1 but bounced back effectively reclaiming second place from Russell on lap 34 and then conserving fuel until the end. “It wasn’t my effort “ Norris conceded, “but Max was just faster.”
Behind Charles Leclerc secured sixth place Carlos Sainz came in seventh and Nico Hulkenberg along with Lewis Hamilton rounded out the points. The event included accidents involving Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and a dramatic collision that ended the afternoons, for Lance Stroll and Gabriel Borteleto.
Norris can now seal the championship next weekend in Qatar.
