F1: Max Verstappen Wins Las Vegas Grand Prix, Closes Championship Gap

Max Verstappen kept his title hopes alive with victory at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, moving closer to the championship lead after a decisive performance from second on the grid. The Red Bull driver took the lead on the opening lap when pole-sitter Lando Norris ran wide at Turn 1, allowing Verstappen to move ahead and stay in front for all 50 laps. With this win, the Dutchman has trimmed the points gap in the championship standings as the season approaches its final two rounds. Verstappen’s result positions him to remain a strong challenger, with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix in a season that remains open at the top.

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Norris, who started from pole, recovered to finish second after falling behind Verstappen and George Russell following the first corner. The McLaren driver settled into a consistent rhythm and managed a late technical issue to secure a result that keeps him in control of the championship race. Norris now leads teammate Oscar Piastri by 30 points, while Verstappen sits 42 points behind with two races left. The outcome ensures a live title battle between the leading drivers as the fight approaches its final stages.

The opening lap saw contact among multiple cars, resulting in a brief virtual safety car period. George Russell made the most of the restart to take third for Mercedes, closing the evening with a strong haul of points. His teammate Kimi Antonelli initially crossed the line in fourth but dropped to fifth after receiving a five-second penalty for a false start. The Mercedes camp left Las Vegas with important points as the team seeks a solid finish to the season.

Oscar Piastri finished fourth after an early recovery drive following contact at the start. Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and William's Carlos Sainz placed sixth and seventh. Lewis Hamilton drove from the back of the grid to finish tenth, adding a single point to his tally. The midfield order remained closely contested through the evening, with teams focusing on every available opportunity to strengthen their championship positions.

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The Las Vegas race opened the final triple-header of the 2024 Formula 1 season, with 58 points still available per driver. Norris has a possible route to the title in Qatar if he extends his advantage to at least 24 points before Abu Dhabi. Verstappen’s victory keeps pressure on the McLaren camp and sets up a decisive race weekend in Qatar, where the overall standings could see another shift depending on the final results.