The Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), critic of the show which surrounded the return of Formula 1 to Las Vegas, won on Saturday for the 18th time of the season, at the end of a Grand Prix full of twists and turns. “Viva Las Vegas”, ended up humming – Elvis Presley style – on his radio the grumpy Verstappen, already assured of a third world champion title, after having criticized the new circuit and its backstage this week, marked by a hiccup Thursday evening during the first tests.
In the city of all vices, the Dutchman showed all his talent in this area to dominate Monegasque poleman Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, who secured 2nd place in the world championship before the last race of the season next week in Abu Dhabi.
From the start, Verstappen dived into the first corner, braking late to overtake Leclerc, a maneuver later deemed illicit by the stewards who handed him a 5-second penalty. The cunning “Max” also slowed down his opponents on a two-stage restart after the safety car came out (4th lap) and was the author of a muscular but ultimately legal exit from the pits later in the race.
“In the end, it was a really good race”
Looking for a first victory this season, Leclerc, back in the lead on the 16th lap (out of 50), definitively gave in to the Dutchman on the 37th, while the changes of leader followed in a beautiful three-way battle with Perez . The Mexican had started very badly with a pit stop on the first lap, but was able to make a superb comeback with a little success and the arrival of the safety car at the right time for him on the 25th lap. However, he was overtaken on the last lap by a superb overtake from Leclerc in a corner, to deprive Red Bull of a double.
“I tried my luck at the start (…), we had a great race today, it was very close,” Verstappen finally appreciated. Celebrated with great fanfare, the return of F1 to Las Vegas 41 years after two races contested in the Caesars Palace parking lot in 1981 and 1982 suffered some criticism and began with an embarrassing day on Thursday, for the start of the tests, which were greatly disrupted through… a manhole cover.
“Everyone criticized Las Vegas but, ultimately, it was a great race,” said Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur. The Italians have returned to four points behind Mercedes’ 2nd place (Hamilton 7th, Russell 8th) in the constructor standings. Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) was the victim of a spectacular crash on the 4th lap but was able to walk off the circuit.