Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday, significantly boosting his chances after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were retrospectively disqualified from the race. This turn of events reshuffled the standings, with Verstappen now tied with Piastri in second place behind Norris, who maintains a 24-point lead with two races left in the season, including a sprint race.
Following the race, Norris and Piastri faced scrutiny from stewards due to their cars not meeting post-race regulations, leading to their disqualification. Verstappen, who overtook Norris to secure first place, saw his fortunes rise even more as both McLaren drivers faced penalties for skid block issues.
Meanwhile, George Russell of Mercedes moved up to second place after initially finishing third in Vegas, with his teammate Kimi Antonelli climbing to third place. The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix and the following Abu Dhabi race will be crucial in deciding the championship outcome, with Verstappen aiming to close the gap further on Norris.
Despite Norris’ strong performances earlier in the season, Verstappen’s recent success has added pressure on the McLaren driver. The title race remains open, with potential tiebreakers looming if the points standings end up level. Verstappen’s track record in the upcoming races will be crucial in determining if he can retain his crown or if Norris will secure the championship.
