Max Verstappen Dominates Las Vegas Grand Prix; Lando Norris Extends Lead

Max Verstappen secured victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on October 28, 2023, overtaking championship leader Lando Norris at the start and maintaining his lead throughout the race. The event showcased high-speed performances, with cars reaching over 215 miles per hour along the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Despite finishing in second place, Norris managed to extend his lead in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship over his McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, who finished fourth.

Norris currently holds **408 points**, while Piastri lags behind with **378 points**. Verstappen, driving for **Red Bull**, sits third in the standings with **366 points**. Following the race, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction over the team radio, stating, “Simply lovely, that!”

The championship race is far from settled, with only two Grand Prix remaining in the season—next weekend in Qatar and the following weekend in Abu Dhabi. The Qatar race will include a sprint event, allowing for a total of **58 points** still up for grabs. Verstappen acknowledged the uphill battle ahead, saying, “It’s still a big gap. The upcoming weekends we’ll again try to win the race, and at the end of Abu Dhabi we’ll see where we end up.”

Norris began the race from pole position but lost ground early on, as Verstappen and George Russell swiftly overtook him after a miscalculation in the first corner. Although Norris later regained his position against Russell, he could not close the gap to Verstappen and had to ease his pace due to car issues. Russell ultimately finished third.

“I just braked too late. It was my eff-up,” Norris reflected on his start, emphasizing his desire to provide an entertaining race. “I just wanted to put on a show, right? That’s why we’re in Vegas!”

Economic Impact of the Grand Prix

Local leaders expressed hope that the race weekend would provide a boost to the Las Vegas economy, which has faced challenges this year related to high costs and declining tourism. Last year’s Grand Prix reportedly generated an economic impact of **$934 million**. U.S. Representative **Steven Horsford**, a Democrat from Nevada, emphasized the significance of such events, stating, “It’s a very important event. And I fully support all of our special events. We’re not just the entertainment capital; we’re the entertainment and sports capital.”

Formula 1 is actively working to engage American fans, having established races in Miami and Las Vegas, alongside the long-standing Grand Prix in Austin. The organization has also signed a five-year broadcasting agreement with Apple, set to replace ESPN as the U.S. broadcast rights holder starting next year.

The event attracted numerous celebrities, including musicians **Beyoncé** and **Jay-Z**, actors **Ben Affleck**, **Michael Douglas**, and **Naomi Campbell**, as well as NBA stars **Magic Johnson** and **Jimmy Butler**. Notably, actor **Catherine Zeta-Jones** waved the checkered flag at the end of the race, while Lewis Hamilton took Beyoncé on a hot lap around the circuit prior to the event.

Challenges and Controversies

The qualifying session on Friday was marked by chaos due to rain, which added difficulty for the drivers on the already tricky track. Norris, who managed to secure pole position, described the session as nerve-wracking, stating, “You’re just trying to keep it on the track. Not crash. Not take yourself out.”

Internal team dynamics also garnered attention during the race weekend. Piastri faced scrutiny after inadvertently reposting a comment on social media that suggested McLaren favored Norris due to his marketability. He later clarified that it was an accident and had been deleted. Piastri remarked, “I don’t know, maybe I accidentally did it. Obviously, it was not intentional.”

Ferrari drivers reacted to comments made by Ferrari chairperson **John Elkann**, who suggested that they should “talk less and focus on driving.” Critics interpreted this as a dig at drivers Charles Leclerc and Hamilton following a challenging season for Ferrari. Hamilton humorously noted, “I’m always willing to do less media,” emphasizing his commitment to the sport. Leclerc responded, stating that Elkann’s comments were intended to motivate the team.

Ferrari currently sits fourth in the constructors’ championship, in a tight race behind Mercedes and Red Bull. While the drivers’ championship garners more glory, the constructors’ title is crucial for financial rewards.

Despite starting from the back of the grid in 20th position, Hamilton climbed to 10th by the end of the race, showcasing his resilience in the face of adversity.

As the season approaches its conclusion, the competition remains fierce, with fans eagerly anticipating the next races and potential shifts in the championship standings.