Verstappen dominates Las Vegas GP to keep title hopes alive

Max Verstappen delivered a commanding performance under the neon lights of the Las Vegas Strip, taking a decisive victory in Round 22 of the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Dutchman’s win keeps his slim title hopes alive, while Lando Norris extended his championship lead despite losing the race lead at the start. George Russell completed the podium after a tense battle with his McLaren rival.

Race Recap

The drama began before Turn 1. Norris, starting from pole, made an aggressive move to cover Verstappen but ran wide, allowing the Red Bull driver to seize the lead. Russell capitalised on the chaos, jumping from fourth to second, while Carlos Sainz and Isack Hadjar held strong in the top five. Further back, contact between Gabriel Bortoleto, Lance Stroll, and Franco Colapinto triggered an early Virtual Safety Car, with Stroll and Bortoleto retiring.

Oscar Piastri’s title challenge took another hit. Starting fifth, he was involved in a minor clash with Liam Lawson and struggled to make progress in the opening stint. Charles Leclerc, recovering from a poor qualifying, quickly dispatched Oliver Bearman and later Piastri, as tyre graining began to affect the McLaren.

Mid-Race Strategy Battles

The race evolved into a strategic chess match. Verstappen, on mediums, built a gap over Russell before pitting on Lap 26 for hards, rejoining just ahead of the Mercedes. Norris, after stopping for hards on Lap 23, emerged behind Russell and began a relentless chase. The McLaren man eventually passed his compatriot on Lap 35, setting his sights on Verstappen, but fuel saving and tyre wear curtailed his charge.

Kimi Antonelli was the standout performer in the midfield. Starting on softs, the Mercedes rookie switched to hards on Lap 2 and astonishingly ran them for 48 laps. Despite a five-second penalty for a false start, he defended brilliantly against Piastri and Leclerc, finishing fifth on the road and retaining the position after the penalty was applied.

Closing Stages

In the final laps, Verstappen’s lead ballooned to over 15 seconds as Norris’ pace faded. Russell held off Piastri, who never found a way past Antonelli until the penalty reshuffled positions. Leclerc took sixth ahead of Sainz, with Hadjar, Nico Hulkenberg, and Lewis Hamilton completing the points.

Alexander Albon’s race ended in retirement after contact with Hamilton, while Lawson, Alonso, Tsunoda, Gasly, Colapinto, and Bearman finished outside the points.

Key Moments

Lap 1: Norris runs wide, Verstappen takes the lead, Russell jumps to second.
Lap 2-4: Early VSC for debris after multi-car contact; Stroll and Bortoleto retire.
Lap 23-26: Strategic pit stops shuffle the order; Verstappen retains lead after stop.
Lap 35: Norris overtakes Russell for second.
Lap 45-50: Antonelli defends heroically on worn hards; Verstappen cruises to victory.

Final Classification (Top 10)

Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
Lando Norris – McLaren
George Russell – Mercedes
Oscar Piastri – McLaren
Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes*
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Carlos Sainz – Williams
Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
Nico Hulkenberg – Kick Sauber
Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari

*Position retained after five-second penalty.

Championship Implications

Norris now leads Piastri by 30 points, with Verstappen 42 points adrift and 58 still available over the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The McLaren driver can mathematically seal the title next weekend if results go his way.

Analysis

Verstappen’s win was a reminder of his relentless pace when given a competitive package. His control from the front, combined with strategic precision, left rivals with no answer. Norris’ recovery from a costly start underlines his championship credentials, while Russell’s podium was hard-earned despite steering issues.

Antonelli’s tyre management and defensive skill were exceptional, marking him as a rising star. Piastri’s inability to clear the Mercedes rookie quickly may prove costly in the title fight.

Las Vegas once again delivered a spectacle — both on track and off — but the real drama now shifts to Qatar, where the championship could be decided. Norris has one hand on the trophy, but Verstappen’s and Piastri’s hopes aren’t entirely extinguished.