This year’s Grand PrixTM on the Las Vegas Strip was a crucial chapter in the championship saga. From strategy missteps to post-race disqualification shockers, it had everything.
Here’s how things played out for Monegasque fans following Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton.
The Race
The win went to Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who made a strong start and held the field in check for all 50 laps on the Las Vegas street circuit.
Pole‐position and early lead seemed to belong to Lando Norris (McLaren), but he drifted wide at Turn 1 and handed the advantage to Verstappen. However: in a dramatic twist, Norris and his teammate Oscar Piastri were later disqualified for failing the skid-block thickness regulation.
After the disqualifications, the official podium promotions had George Russell (Mercedes) in 2nd and Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 3rd. For Ferrari, Charles Leclerc fought his way up strongly (starting P9 after a disappointing wet qualifying) and nearly scored a podium before strategy and traffic let him down.
Leclerc admitted that Ferrari lost a good opportunity to do something special … the pace was there. Lewis Hamilton starting from the back (P20 after a rough qualifying), mounted a recovery to finish in the points, but called his comeback “meaningless” given his expectations.
Focus on Ferrari & Leclerc
For Leclerc and Ferrari there were two contrasting themes in Vegas: strong race pace, but wet-qualifying weakness and strategic frustration.
Qualifying in the wet went poorly again. Ferrari struggled, with Leclerc admitting the team must improve wet-condition pace. In the race Leclerc’s charge was impressive: overtaking multiple rivals, climbing from P9 to challenge near the front. But strategy, specifically the pit-stop timing and undercut risk thwarted his chance. Ferrari’s have the machinery and race pace in the dry to run with the leaders, but repeated qualifying / strategy issues are costing them. Leclerc highlighted the challenge to really work on Ferrari’s wet pace for which they are paying the price at the end of this year.
Hamilton’s season remains scaringly rocky. For the seven-time champion now in Ferrari colours, every point counts, but he fiercely expressed his dissatisfaction with his overall performance. This could be Hamilton’s first season ever without scoring a podium. Hamilton is in a bleak mood about this season even to the point of being down about next season too.
Standings shake-up & what’s at stake
Following Vegas, the championship picture has shifted dramatically putting Verstappen dangerously in contention.
Drivers’ championship (top 5)
• 1st: Lando Norris (McLaren) – 390 points.
• 2nd: Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 366 points.
• 3rd: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 366 points (tied with Piastri).
• 4th: George Russell (Mercedes) – 294 points.
• 5th: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 226 points.
With only two races left plus a sprint the margin is narrowing and/or shifting. Verstappen is back in the game; Ferrari and Leclerc must hope for mistakes ahead.
Constructors’ championship
• 1st: McLaren – 756 points (already clear champions)
• 2nd: Mercedes – 431 points
• 3rd: Red Bull Racing – 391 points
• 4th: Ferrari – 378 points
Ferrari being 4th here, after being in contention for 2nd shows how much performance has mattered, but also how missed opportunities add up.
What to watch next
Las Vegas has been a decisive weekend in the title fight and for momentum. Ferrari showed they have race-pace in the dry, but if they keep failing in wet qualifying and strategy they’ll keep giving away points.
Leclerc needs podiums and wins fast if he wants to be genuinely nearer this year’s leading trio. For Hamilton: his recovery was decent but the words “meaningless ten places” reflect deep dissatisfaction.
The shock of McLaren’s disqualification reminds everyone, it’s not just driving. Technical compliance and strategy play huge roles.
With only a few events left, each mistake is amplified: a spin, a strategy error, bad qualifying slot, could cost the championship.
