Las Vegas delivered another unforgettable night of speed, chaos, and pure spectacle as Max Verstappen claimed victory under the neon lights of the Strip.
From the moment the sun set on F1’s coveted track, the energy in the city was unreal. Fans packed sold-out grandstands, celebrities filled the paddock, and the atmosphere felt more like a championship fight in a packed arena than a traditional race. A-listers, models, and some of the biggest influencers in the world all descended on Sin City.
Photo by Sir Daniel David (@SirDanJets)
Verstappen handled the pressure with complete precision and took P1 when the title fight mattered most. But the biggest twist of the night did not happen on the track. It happened after the checkered flag.
In a stunning post-race, late-night decision, both McLaren cars were disqualified after FIA scrutineering revealed that the skid-block planks on their MCL39s had worn below the minimum legal thickness.
Photo by Sir Daniel David (@SirDanJets)
The issue stems from running the car too low to generate extra downforce and cornering grip; a setup that can quickly wear the plank beyond what the rules allow. What looked like a comfortable McLaren advantage disappeared within minutes and proved once again that Formula 1 regulations leave absolutely no room for error.
And now the impossible is suddenly possible. Verstappen’s win in Las Vegas puts him right back in the hunt for the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship with only Qatar and Abu Dhabi remaining. The points margin is razor-thin, and the momentum has shifted in dramatic fashion. The standings after the Las Vegas Grand Prix leave Norris leading the championship with 390 points, and both Verstappen and Piastri are tied with 366 points each.
Photo by Sir Daniel David (@SirDanJets)
There are 58 points available for Verstappen if he takes P1 in both remaining races and wins the final sprint of the season. That total rises to 60 if he also secures the fastest lap in both of the remaining Grands Prix. For the uninitiated, a first-place finish in Formula 1 awards 25 points, while a win in a sprint race awards 8 points. It is, however, possible to earn 1 additional point for setting the fastest lap in a Grand Prix, provided the driver finishes inside the top 10.
Las Vegas wanted a show, and Formula 1 delivered. The season now heads to the Middle East with everything on the line, and the stakes are now higher than ever.
Photo by Sir Daniel David (@SirDanJets)
