Max Verstappen converted an aggressive first-corner move into a dominant victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, while a dramatic post-race twist saw Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified for excessive plank wear. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli completed an unexpected double podium for Mercedes under the Nevada lights.
How Verstappen took control in Las Vegas
Starting alongside pole-sitter Lando Norris, Max Verstappen attacked into Turn 1 on the opening lap of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Norris locked up and ran deep, allowing the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver to slip inside and seize the lead.
From there, Verstappen controlled the race pace, managing tyres and energy deployment each time the field regrouped after Virtual Safety Car phases.
Even when George Russell briefly applied pressure in the middle stint, Verstappen had enough pace in hand to stretch clear once the tyres stabilised. His Las Vegas win is another key step in a season-long comeback against the previously dominant Lando Norris.
McLaren nightmare: Norris and Piastri disqualified
The biggest shock came long after the chequered flag. Scrutineering revealed that both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri had underfloor planks worn beyond the 9 mm minimum allowed by Formula 1 regulations. As a result, both McLaren cars were disqualified, losing their on-track second and fourth places.
For Norris, the exclusion transforms what looked like a damage-limitation drive into a heavy points loss. For Piastri, it cancels another strong performance in a season where he has often matched or beaten his team-mate on pure pace.
Mercedes capitalises with Russell and Antonelli
With the McLarens removed from the results, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team scored a crucial double podium. George Russell inherited second place after an aggressive early stint that ultimately overheated his tyres and allowed Norris to pass him on track before the penalties.
Behind him, Kimi Antonelli delivered one of the standout drives of the night. Starting only 17th, the Italian rookie pitted early under Virtual Safety Car, used clean air to leapfrog midfield traffic and then defended superbly in the closing laps – first from Oscar Piastri, then from a charging Charles Leclerc – to secure a podium after penalties.
Chaos at Turn 1: Lawson, Bortoleto, Stroll and Gasly caught up
Much of the race outcome was shaped in the opening metres. While Max Verstappen attacked Lando Norris into Turn 1, Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc made contact on the outside line, dropping the Ferrari driver down the order.
Further back, Liam Lawson in the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls entry tapped Oscar Piastri, compromising the Australian’s early progress. Then, Gabriel Bortoleto, driving for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, misjudged his braking and hit Lance Stroll, who then bounced into Pierre Gasly. Stroll and Bortoleto would later retire as a result of the damage.
Leclerc, Hamilton and the French camp salvage points
After the early incident, Charles Leclerc mounted a strong recovery for Scuderia Ferrari, shadowing Oscar Piastri in the first stint and looking set to convert tyre advantage and racecraft into what might have been a podium once the McLaren penalties were applied. Ultimately, the combination of Antonelli’s defence and late tyre drop left Leclerc just short.
Team-mate
Lewis Hamilton climbed into the points after a quiet but efficient race, benefitting from the first-lap chaos and the McLaren disqualifications to secure valuable championship points.
For the French contingent, the evening was mixed.
Pierre Gasly saw his race compromised by the opening-lap contact and finished outside the points for BWT Alpine F1 Team. Isack Hadjar continued his impressive rookie campaign with another top-10 finish, while Esteban Ocon brought his Haas F1 Team car home in the points after the order was reshuffled.
Nico Hülkenberg and Ollie Bearman also featured in the midfield fight before the final classification settled.
Championship dynamics before Qatar
The disqualifications dramatically compress the title picture. Instead of heading to Qatar with a sizeable deficit to Lando Norris, Max Verstappen leaves Las Vegas level on points with
Oscar Piastri and just a reduced margin behind Norris. The psychological momentum now sits firmly with Red Bull Racing, while McLaren faces intense technical scrutiny heading into a sprint weekend in Qatar.
For investors, sponsors and team stakeholders, Las Vegas underlined how quickly regulatory details – such as plank wear tolerances – can transform the competitive and financial landscape of a Formula 1 season.
10 things to do in Las Vegas within 24 hours during F1 week
- Fountains of Bellagio – Watch the iconic fountain show in front of Bellagio Resort & Casino, timed to music and lights, with the Strip and F1 infrastructure as a dramatic backdrop.
- Ride the High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ Promenade for panoramic night-time views over the Las Vegas Grand Prix layout.
- Experience the immersive visuals and live events at Sphere Las Vegas, whose LED exterior has become one of the defining images of modern F1 in the city.
- Walk through the neon canopy and live music stages at Fremont Street Experience, the classic “old Vegas” atmosphere contrasting with the ultra-modern Strip circuit.
- Discover the city’s illuminated history at The Neon Museum, where retired casino and hotel signs tell the story of Las Vegas’ transformation.
- Explore organised crime history and law enforcement exhibits at The Mob Museum, a short ride from the Strip.
- Take a half-day trip to Hoover Dam, combining engineering, history and dramatic desert scenery over the Colorado River.
- Dine, shop and people-watch along The LINQ Promenade, which offers easy access back to the F1 fan zones.
- Visit the immersive art and entertainment complex AREA15, with experiences ranging from Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart to VR and experiential dining.
- Take a classic photo at the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign, a short rideshare from the main resort area and often decorated for race week.
10 best hotels in Las Vegas for investors and F1 guests
- Bellagio Las Vegas – Iconic Strip location, direct views over the Fountains of Bellagio and strong F1-week corporate hospitality options.
- ARIA Resort & Casino – Modern rooms, excellent meeting space and walking access to many key vantage points along the Strip.
- The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Known for terraces overlooking the circuit straight, with premium race-view packages during Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend.
- Wynn Las Vegas – High-end resort with a strong reputation among UHNW guests, fine dining and discreet service.
- The Venetian Resort Las Vegas – All-suite concept, extensive convention facilities and convenient access to the northern section of the Strip.
- Caesars Palace – Classic Vegas property with a major shopping and dining hub at The Forum Shops and good proximity to central grandstands.
- MGM Grand Hotel & Casino – One of the largest hotels on the Strip, offering a wide range of room categories and entertainment for sponsor and corporate groups.
- Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – Non-gaming, non-smoking luxury tower with a strong business and family-office clientele and easy track access.
- Resorts World Las Vegas – Newer integrated resort with three Hilton-branded towers, attractive suites and a growing portfolio of F1-themed hospitality.
- The LINQ Hotel + Experience – Value-oriented but well-located hotel next to The LINQ Promenade and the High Roller, ideal for younger investors and startup founders travelling in groups.
Damalion supports international investors, entrepreneurs and family offices who use F1 race weeks as an opportunity to meet partners, structure cross-border deals and optimise holding, financing and banking arrangements. If you are planning to combine the Las Vegas Grand Prix with strategic meetings in Europe or Luxembourg, our team can help you align corporate structures, fund vehicles and banking relations in a compliant and efficient way.
