Las Vegas (USA), Nov 23: For a driver who hated the Las Vegas Grand Prix before he’d ever turned a lap, Max Verstappen sure has turned the event into his own personal jackpot.
Verstappen won for the second time in four races and the four-time reigning Formula 1 champion continued to claw his way back into title picture with a Saturday night victory on the streets of Las Vegas.
It is the second time in three years the Dutchman has won on the course that utilizes a part of the famed Strip. He won the inaugural race in 2023 and clinched his fourth consecutive title here last year.
Now he has another win at an event he despised ahead of its debut because of the bright spotlight promoters placed on celebrities and parties instead of the actual competition. But when it comes time to get in the car, no matter how Verstappen feels about the event, he seems to excel.
“Some people like more show added, some people like different kind of tracks, I think it’s about what I like,” Verstappen said. “I personally, of course, am less of a showman and not really into that. But I guess in terms of the calendar, if you are in Vegas, it needs to be like this, and that’s fine.”
Verstappen rushed into the arms of his waiting Red Bull crew as the skyline was illuminated by a spectacular New Year’s Eve-style fireworks display.
Verstappen also took a victory lap in a pink Cadillac made of Legos driven by actor Terry Crews, who is an ambassador for the Cadillac F1 team that will debut next year.
It was the 69th victory of Verstappen’s career, his eighth consecutive podium, F1-record eighth win in the United States, and he beat points leader Lando Norris by more than 20 seconds.
Verstappen started second but took control of the race in the very first turn when Norris made an aggressive move to cut in front of him at the start but wound up sliding wide of the turn in his McLaren.
Verstappen moved to the lead and George Russell darted past Norris into second.
It was the 150th career start for Norris, which tied the McLaren record with David Coulthard. He will become McLaren’s most tenured driver next week in Qatar with his 151th start.
But after his slip in the first turn, Norris found himself stuck back in third, and teammate Oscar Piastri fared no better as the Australian lost two spots on the start to drop from fifth to seventh. The two McLaren drivers have swapped the lead in the driver standings all season and Norris held a 24-point lead over Piastri at the start, while Verstappen was 49 points back. (AP)
