The Las Vegas GP delivered one of the most dramatic twists of the 2025 season. Max Verstappen kept his title hopes alive with a commanding victory, while McLaren’s night collapsed after both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified post-race for excessive skid wear.
A wild start decides everything
The drama began instantly. Norris made an aggressive move to cover Verstappen on the run to Turn 1, but ran wide and opened the door for the Red Bull to sweep into the lead. George Russell also slipped through, leaving Norris scrambling to recover as the pack jostled behind.
Further chaos unfolded as Gabriel Bortoleto and Lance Stroll collided at Turn 1, triggering retirements and scattering debris across the circuit. Piastri was clipped by Liam Lawson yet managed to continue, though the early setback cost him valuable ground.
Out front, Verstappen managed the pace with confidence. Russell kept him honest through the opening laps, even dipping into DRS range, but the Dutchman responded with clean laps and gradually eked out a comfortable lead.
Norris eventually re-passed Russell during the second stint, but by then Verstappen was too far ahead. A late issue forced Norris into conservation mode and he crossed the line over 20 seconds down on the race winner.
The stewards change everything
Hours later, the story flipped. Both Norris and Piastri were disqualified when post-race checks found their skid blocks below the minimum thickness. The ruling reshuffled the podium and handed Mercedes a surprise double celebration.
Russell inherited second after a gritty drive nursing steering issues. Kimi Antonelli claimed a sensational third, having climbed from P17 with bold overtakes, strong tyre management and a recovery from a five-second false-start penalty.
Points shake out across the field
Charles Leclerc’s race was one of relentless attack. After starting ninth, he stormed through the midfield with decisive moves and late-race pressure on Antonelli. With McLaren out of the classification, the Monegasque was promoted to fourth, ahead of Carlos Sainz who delivered another controlled and clever drive for Williams.
Nico Hulkenberg maximised his hard-tyre opening stint to secure seventh for Kick Sauber. Lewis Hamilton climbed from the back of the grid to eighth, making the most of a well-timed strategy shift.
The revised top ten featured both Haas drivers, Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman, after the McLaren exclusions lifted them into the points. Alonso, Tsunoda, Gasly and Lawson followed, while Colapinto completed the group of finishers.
Three drivers retired: Albon after a clash with Hamilton, Bortoleto after his Turn 1 move, and Stroll from the same incident.
Championship tension rises
Verstappen’s victory keeps the title fight alive heading into the final two rounds. Norris leaves Las Vegas with his advantage cut and his momentum stalled. McLaren face a difficult week of scrutiny, analysis and regrouping before the Middle East double-header.
This Las Vegas weekend was billed as unpredictable. It delivered more than anyone expected.
