Max Verstappen secured a significant win at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the victory becoming even more valuable following the disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Norris, who held a 24-point lead over Piastri in the driver standings, now faces a tighter competition as Verstappen closed the gap to 42 points behind Norris.
The McLaren duo faced scrutiny from race stewards post-race, leading to their disqualification due to their cars failing to meet the post-race regulations regarding the thickness of the skid block. Verstappen’s triumph in overtaking Norris for the top spot was further elevated by McLaren’s double disqualification.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Verstappen’s success in Vegas not only moved him closer to the championship lead but also positioned him on par with Piastri in second place. George Russell of Mercedes also had a commendable performance, moving up to second place after initially finishing third, while his teammate Kimi Antonelli secured third place, marking his third podium finish in a remarkable debut F1 season.
With only two races left in the season, including a sprint race, the competition intensifies as Verstappen aims to close the gap further and challenge Norris for the championship title. The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix poses another opportunity for Verstappen to make his mark and potentially secure his championship dreams. The battle for the title remains open, with Norris holding a slight advantage, but Verstappen’s recent performances have injected hope and excitement into the championship race.
As the season reaches its climax, the possibility of a tiebreaker looms if Verstappen and Norris end up tied in points. In such a scenario, the championship outcome would depend on the number of race wins, with Norris currently leading in this aspect. The intense competition between Verstappen and Norris is fueled by their consistent podium finishes and race victories, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.
1. Lando Norris – McLaren (390)
2. Oscar Piastri – McLaren (366)
3. Max Verstappen – Red Bull (366)
4. George Russell – Mercedes (294)
5. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari (226)
As the championship battle heats up, the upcoming races will determine the fate of the drivers and their quest for the coveted title.