formula 1
“Viva Las Vegas”: Verstappen extends record series
Victory in Las Vegas: The next trophy for Max Verstappen. photo
© Nick Didlick/AP/dpa
Las Vegas demands entertainment from Formula 1 – and gets it in XXL format. World champion Verstappen wins the crash spectacle and draws level with Vettel. Teammate Perez is runner-up.
Show critics warbled in white Elvis Presley memorial jumpsuit Max Verstappen in his unbeatable Red Bull sang the song “Viva Las Vegas” by the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”. In the sea of lights of the gaming metropolis, the motorsport purist from the Netherlands extended his Formula 1 record series with his 18th win of the season.
“We experienced a lot of good racing here, it was a lot of fun,” said Verstappen, who had previously criticized the entertainment nature of the event.
Despite a five-second penalty in the crash spectacle with three safety car phases, the world champion crowned his comeback in Las Vegas. In front of the glittering backdrop, the Red Bull driver relegated Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari to second place and drew level with Sebastian Vettel with his 53rd Grand Prix success. “Despite second place, I really enjoyed the fight, but of course I would have liked to win,” said Leclerc. “There couldn’t have been a better race in Las Vegas.”
Showdown in Las Vegas
Sergio Pérez finished third in the second Red Bull and secured runner-up place in the world championship. After crossing the finish line, the trio was driven in a Rolls Royce to the luxury Bellagio Hotel, where the famous fountains shot up in their honor. Nico Hülkenberg hardly noticed anything of this; he didn’t even make it to the finish line with his Haas.
The show has to be right – especially in Las Vegas, where Formula 1 last raced in 1982. More than two hours before the start of the race, the drivers were loudly introduced to the audience by an announcer on the start-finish straight before they climbed into street cruisers and were celebrated by the fans in the stands.
The three-time world champion Verstappen, who had repeatedly criticized the eventization on this weekend, which was so important for the US Formula 1 rights holders, was apparently only moderately enthusiastic about the drivers’ parade.
Celebrities on the side of the track
After the starting grid was cleared with all the celebrities from Shaquille O’Neal to Rihanna, the red lights went out – and the action began. With a resolute maneuver, Verstappen took the lead from Leclerc, who had clinched his fifth pole position of the year, right in the first corner. However, the world champion in the Red Bull slipped off the track while overtaking with the Ferrari.
Verstappen was given a five-second penalty for this push-off. “Yes, that’s good, send them my greetings,” said Verstappen caustically to the race management at the penultimate of 22 races of the season.
On the fresh asphalt, Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin, Valtteri Bottas in the Alfa Romeo and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari were spinning at the back. The Virtual Safety Car was deployed to clear debris from the course.
The real safety car had to be deployed on the fourth lap. Lando Norris lost control of his McLaren before turn twelve, spun, slid along the guardrail and crashed into the barrier in the emergency exit. “I’m OK,” the Englishman radioed, got out of his car on his own and was later examined in detail in the hospital.
Class action lawsuit filed
The thrilling start was to the taste of the organizers, who had embarrassed themselves in the opening training. The first session was canceled after just 19 minutes due to a defective cover on a water shaft. The repairs took so long that the fan zones were cleared and the pilots completed the second training session in front of a ghostly nighttime backdrop.
A Las Vegas law firm has already filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 day ticket holders. It’s about $30,000 in damages per person. The organizers reported that the three Grand Prix days were sold out as requested with 315,000 fans.
In the shadow of the oversized illuminated “Sphere” snow globe, Verstappen complained about deteriorating tires after the restart. Leclerc took the lead on lap 16, the Red Bull dominator then came into the pits and served his penalty. Verstappen was now loaded and started the hunt.
After the Dutchman collided with Mercedes driver George Russell in the fight for fourth place, car parts flew onto the track on the 25th lap. “He steers into me,” said Verstappen excitedly. The safety car went out again and Russell also had to serve a five-second penalty.
After the route was opened, Leclerc lost the lead on the 32nd lap after a Verstappen-style overtaking maneuver by Pérez in the second Red Bull. Meanwhile, Verstappen continued to work his way forward and in the 37th of 50 laps he was where he has almost always been this season: at the front. Leclerc initially lost second place, but caught Pérez in the last few meters.