Verstappen Dominates Las Vegas Grand Prix, Norris Secures Second After Strategic battle
Las Vegas, Nevada – November 18, 2023 – Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing claimed victory at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, extending his championship lead with a commanding performance. Lando Norris, driving for McLaren, secured second place after a late-race surge, fending off a challenge from George Russell and responding to team directives to strategically overtake.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix marks a return of Formula 1 to the city after a 40-year absence, held on a newly constructed 3.8-mile street circuit. Verstappen’s win further solidifies his position as a dominant force in the sport, while Norris’s second-place finish is a meaningful result for McLaren, demonstrating their continued progress. The outcome impacts the constructors’ championship standings as teams vie for crucial points in the final races of the 2023 season.
Early in the race,Norris found himself closely pursuing Russell,struggling to find an opportunity to pass. McLaren’s race engineers advised Norris to prioritize tire management and wait for a strategic moment to overtake, cautioning him to only attempt a move towards the end of the race. Following these instructions, Norris successfully passed Russell on the long straight, capitalizing on the opportunity.
Following the overtake, McLaren issued a directive to Norris via radio, urging him to “Snap Max,” indicating a push to close the gap to Verstappen. Red Bull responded by instructing Verstappen to increase his pace, resulting in the defending champion extending his lead. Ultimately, Verstappen crossed the finish line over 20 seconds ahead of Norris, securing a decisive victory.
