Verstappen Dominates Las Vegas Grand Prix as McLaren Suffers Disqualification Blow
LAS VEGAS – Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing secured victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix Saturday night, capitalizing on a first-lap overtake of pole-sitter Lando Norris. However, the race concluded with a stunning turn of events as both McLaren drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, were disqualified due to technical infringements, dramatically altering the final standings.
The disqualifications promote George russell to second place and Charles Leclerc to third. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, finished tenth and now moves to eighth following the penalties. The race marks Verstappen’s latest win in a dominant season, but the focus post-race has shifted to the controversial disqualification of a McLaren team that showed notable pace throughout the weekend.
Verstappen took the lead on the opening lap after Norris ran deep into Turn 1 while defending the position. Russell quickly followed through, placing himself in second. Despite a period where russell was within DRS range, Verstappen maintained a comfortable lead throughout the majority of the race.
McLaren had hoped to challenge Verstappen in the closing stages, but a late car issue hampered Norris’s pace. Piastri, starting fifth, benefitted from a well-timed pit stop and a five-second jump-start penalty assessed to Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, climbing to fourth before his eventual disqualification.
The final top ten, adjusted for the disqualifications, are as follows:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- [Driver Name] [Team Name] [Time Difference]
- [Driver Name] [Team Name] [Time Difference]
The disqualification of both McLaren cars is a significant blow to the team’s championship aspirations and raises questions about the technical regulations. Further examination is expected to determine the exact nature of the infringement.
