Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025: Race Review

Following breaking news that both McLaren drivers had been disqualified under grounds of failing post-race technical checks, Max Verstappen has the chance to make the impossible possible following on from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, now sitting just 24-points behind a fifth drivers’ championship result.

Key Moments

While what happens in Vegas notoriously stays in Vegas, the same notion cannot be applied to its Grand Prix.

During the opening lap, Lando Norris attempted a bold attacking move, as an attempt to stump four-time world champion Max Verstappen in P2 position.

While this inevitably did nothing more than humor the Dutchman – who took it in his stride, by flipping the script as Norris ran wide – it did, however, ensure Norris conceded two positions; the second being to George Russell, who took advantage of the situation-in-hand.

Elsewhere, Kimi Antontelli was handed a 5-second time penalty for producing a false start.

Despite his race engineer Will Joseph commanding Lando Norris to “go get Max” during Lap 34, the British drivers’ championship leader finished the Las Vegas Grand Prix almost 19-seconds behind the rear wing of the Red Bull; partly in mechanical fault, partly through incomparable ability.

This was ultimately an omen for the misfortunes to follow for McLaren, with the winning constructors finding both their drivers disqualified post-race, due to ‘excessive’ skid block wear.

Thus, while Norris stood proudly on the podium in P2 position shortly following the race, it was Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli alike who had, indeed, alternatively earnt their spots in the illusive pink Lego car transporting them to centre-stage.

Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025: Final Thoughts

It was yet another weekend to forget – irrespective of his DSQ result – for Oscar Piastri. The Australian can, however, perhaps quietly relish in his teammate’s identical DSQ result.

While Max Verstappen now ties his 366-points – with the Aussie clutching second in the drivers’ championship fight by the tightest of technicalities – an identical DSQ ensures his McLaren teammate is still within reach, with just one sprint and two Sunday races remaining on the season’s calendar.

Despite being an avid follower of Oscar Piastri, I do feel that there is no longer the momentum present for a Verstappen-style comeback required, especially with so few races to go; though I would love to be proven wrong.

It does, therefore, very much feel like Lando Norris’ title to lose at this late stage.

With that being said, unlike the often-biased British media, I would relish in a Max Verstappen fifth consecutive world championship title, if he were to solidify a historic comeback against both McLaren drivers.

Elsewhere, it is worth noting that despite starting his race in P17 position, yet another impressive performance rewarded 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli with a consecutive podium finish, this time in P3 position.

While several rookies have impressed me this season – a full blog review and round-up pending – it is this rhythmic late lunge from the young Italian, which sets him up nicely for Rookie-of-the-Year consideration.

In what has been a cinematic conclusion to the season thus far, I very much look forward to the twists and turns looming over the final two racing weekends ahead.

The penultimate Grand Prix of the 2025 season takes place at Qatar on November 30th.