Max Verstappen Dominates Las Vegas GP; Lando Norris Retains Championship Lead With P2 Finish

Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, keeping himself alive in the fight for the Formula One world championship. The Red Bull driver took advantage of a first-corner error by polesitter Lando Norris, grabbing the lead early and controlling the race from start to finish.

Verstappen crossed the line more than 20 seconds clear of the field to claim his 69th career Grand Prix victory, despite starting behind Norris. The win narrows the points gap, with Verstappen now 42 points behind the McLaren driver.

Lando Norris finished second, strengthening his position at the top of the championship standings with 408 points and just two races left in the season. His McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri finished fourth, while Mercedes’ George Russell rounded out the podium in third.

The race followed a chaotic qualifying session a day earlier, where heavy rain created extremely slippery conditions that Verstappen compared to “driving on ice.” Saturday’s main event, however, unfolded under clear skies and cool night temperatures as the Las Vegas Strip lit up the 50-lap street circuit.

Norris attempted an aggressive defensive move at the race start but misjudged the first corner and ran off track, allowing Russell to pass him for second while Verstappen surged ahead. Norris later recovered to regain second but could not close the gap to the race leader.

With two races remaining, Norris maintains a 30-point advantage over Piastri and remains the favourite for his maiden world title, while Verstappen continues to fight to keep his championship hopes alive.