2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix:
Verstappen triumphs on a chaotic night, McLaren hit by double blow
The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix lived up to all expectations. Under the sparkling lights of the Strip and in an electric atmosphere, Formula 1 delivered one of the most memorable races of the season. Max Verstappen took victory at the end of an unexpected scenario, heavily influenced by the post-race disqualification of the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
From the start, the tension was palpable on an urban circuit known for its late braking zones and still-tricky asphalt. Norris had nevertheless produced a convincing performance by quickly taking the lead of the pack, while Piastri reinforced McLaren’s ambitions by firmly holding his position in the top five. But behind them, Verstappen, visibly more comfortable than during qualifying, maintained a steady pace, ready to seize any strategic opportunity.
The race was marked by incidents and twists: minor collisions, several neutralisations and diverging tyre strategies constantly reshuffled the order. Mercedes, cautious but incisive, managed to take advantage of the chaos, allowing George Russell and especially young Kimi Antonelli to remain in the battle for the podium. Antonelli’s maturity, despite being in his first full season, was one of the highlights of the weekend.
But the real twist came only after the chequered flag fell. While Norris crossed the line in second place and Piastri inherited a solid fourth, race control announced the opening of a technical investigation on several cars. A few hours later, the verdict was in: both McLarens were disqualified due to excessive wear of the “skid plank,” the board located under the chassis used to control the ride height. A regulatory detail, certainly, but an unforgiving one. The FIA specified that nothing suggested an intentional infraction, but it did not alter the sporting outcome.
This double blow shook the standings. Verstappen saw his victory take on crucial importance in the championship fight, while Russell and Antonelli were promoted to second and third place respectively. For Mercedes, it was an almost unexpected result. For McLaren, however, it was a severe setback, especially at this advanced stage of the season where every point matters.
This incident completely reshapes the championship dynamic. The situation had until then appeared favourable to Norris, author of a consistent and impressive season, reinforced among other things by his brilliant victory in Monaco a few months earlier. But the Las Vegas penalty changes everything: Verstappen finds himself once again in a position to attack the end of the championship with renewed momentum. McLaren, for its part, is now forced to aim for perfection in the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
The Las Vegas race will likely remain one of the pivotal moments of this 2025 season. Between night-time spectacle, strategic tension and regulatory drama, it perfectly illustrates what Formula 1 can offer at its most unpredictable. Verstappen secures a crucial win, Mercedes regains confidence, and McLaren will have to recover quickly. The suspense is more intense than ever heading into the final stages of the championship.