LAS VEGAS — Max Verstappen claimed an impressive victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, denying Lando Norris in a race that later saw both Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri disqualified.
Verstappen was left in control of the 50-lap race on the streets of Las Vegas after the opening corners, passing poleman Norris when the Drivers’ Championship leader ran wide through Turn 1 having initially chopped across his title rival off the line.
Norris also slipped behind George Russell and only re-passed the Mercedes driver in the latter stages but was unable to mount a challenge on Verstappen, eventually limping home nearly 21 seconds adrift after nursing a late problem.
However, following the race it was confirmed that Norris – along with Piastri, who had originally taken fourth place – had been disqualified due to the rearmost skid wear on both cars being found to be below the minimum thickness required in the technical regulations.
This promoted Russell – who had held on for the podium despite complaining of his own issues with his Mercedes’ steering – up into P2 ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, the Italian having put in a fighting drive to finish fourth on-the-road after starting 17th.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz completed the top five.
With the results in Las Vegas, the four-time world champion is third in the standings, tied with Piastri with 366 points. Piastri has won seven races to Verstappen’s six. They both trail Norris, who is 24 markers ahead.
“This year has been annoying at some stages as well,” Verstappen said. “Everyone was not happy with the performances, and to still have this kind of end to the season is for us, amazing. You need to enjoy that because it’s a big motivational boost to everyone, and that’s the same for me.”
