The Las Vegas GP delivered unprecedented drama in 2025, featuring a dominant Max Verstappen victory overshadowed by a shocking McLaren disqualification that transformed the championship battle. This comprehensive Las Vegas GP review covers everything from race results to the controversial technical decisions that stunned the F1 world.
Race Overview
The Las Vegas GP unfolded on November 22-23, 2025, at the spectacular Las Vegas Strip Circuit. What began as a routine race victory quickly became one of the season’s most controversial moments when post-race scrutineering changed everything.
- Circuit: Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Nevada, USA
- Race Distance: 50 laps (310.05 km)
- Winner: Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT)
- Pole Position: Lando Norris (McLaren – later disqualified)
- Fastest Lap: Max Verstappen
Final Results After McLaren Disqualification
The results changed dramatically hours after the checkered flag. Following FIA technical inspections, both McLaren drivers were excluded from the classification due to illegal car specifications.
Final Top 10:
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull Racing
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
- Carlos Sainz Jr. – Williams
- Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls
- Nico Hülkenberg – Kick Sauber
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
- Esteban Ocon – Haas
- Oliver Bearman – Haas
Originally, Lando Norris finished second and Oscar Piastri fourth in the race, but both were subsequently disqualified, promoting Russell and Antonelli to complete an unexpected Mercedes podium.
How Verstappen Dominated the Race
Max Verstappen’s victory showcased his mastery of street circuits. Starting from second on the grid, Verstappen executed an aggressive move on pole-sitter Norris into Turn 1, seizing the lead he would never relinquish.
Throughout the race, Verstappen demonstrated exceptional tire management on the challenging 6.201 km circuit. The Las Vegas Strip’s long straights and heavy braking zones demand precise energy management, and Verstappen’s experience proved decisive.
Race Strategy and Incidents
The Las Vegas GP featured multiple strategic elements:
- Virtual Safety Car periods compressed the field after mid-race incidents
- Tire strategy splits between one-stop and two-stop approaches
- Temperature management proved critical on cool Nevada streets
- Mercedes strategy positioned Russell and Antonelli perfectly for their podium promotions
George Russell emerged as the fastest non-Red Bull driver at the Las Vegas GP, shadowing the leaders throughout before inheriting second place post-race.
McLaren Disqualification Explained
The most controversial moment of the race came hours after the race concluded. FIA technical inspections revealed both McLaren cars violated technical regulations regarding skid block wear.
What Caused the Disqualification?
Post-race scrutineering at the Las Vegas GP found excessive wear on the rear skid blocks (planks) of both McLaren MCL38s. The regulations mandate minimum skid block thickness of 9 mm, and both McLaren cars measured below this threshold.
McLaren suggested several contributing factors to the Las Vegas GP technical infringement:
- Unexpected porpoising on the bumpy street circuit
- Limited practice running reducing setup optimization
- The abrasive Las Vegas Strip surface
- High-speed characteristics of the circuit
However, FIA technical regulations for the are absolute: underweight or underworn components result in automatic disqualification, regardless of performance advantage or intent.
Championship Implications
The Las Vegas GP disqualifications dramatically altered the 2025 championship landscape. Before the race, Lando Norris held a comfortable points lead, which his Las Vegas GP second-place finish would have extended.
How the Las Vegas GP Changed the Title Race
Championship Impact:
- Norris loses 18 points from his disqualification
- Verstappen’s victory earns maximum points
- The championship gap narrows significantly heading to Qatar
- Oscar Piastri also loses crucial points in the drivers’ standings
With only the Qatar GP and Abu Dhabi GP remaining after Las Vegas, the championship has transformed from a near-certainty into a genuine multi-driver battle.
Standout Performances
Mercedes’ Breakthrough
George Russell delivered one of 2025’s most impressive drives at the Las Vegas GP. His strategic patience paid dividends when the McLaren disqualifications elevated him to second. Rookie Kimi Antonelli joined Russell on the podium in third, marking a breakout performance for Mercedes’ young star.
Ferrari’s Las Vegas GP Points Haul
Charles Leclerc secured fourth, while Lewis Hamilton recovered to eighth despite an earlier collision with Alex Albon that earned Albon a penalty. Ferrari’s consistent performance keeps them in constructors’ championship contention.
Midfield Heroes at the Las Vegas GP
The midfield battle produced exciting results:
- Isack Hadjar impressed with sixth for Racing Bulls in his Las Vegas GP outing
- Nico Hülkenberg claimed seventh for Kick Sauber
- Haas scored double points through Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman
Las Vegas GP Circuit Analysis
The circuit presents unique challenges as a 6.201 km temporary street layout featuring the iconic Las Vegas Strip. The track combines high-speed straights exceeding 340 km/h with technical corners demanding precise braking.
Circuit Characteristics:
- Longest straight: Over 1.9 km down Las Vegas Boulevard
- Total corners: 17, including a challenging chicane section
- Surface temperature: Cool night conditions affect tire performance
- Track evolution: Limited grip early in the Las Vegas GP weekend
Some drivers, including Fernando Alonso, criticized aspects of the Las Vegas GP circuit, particularly regarding bumps and layout flow. These concerns suggest potential modifications before future Las Vegas GP events.
What’s Next After the Las Vegas GP?
Following the dramatic, the F1 calendar moves to its final two rounds:
Qatar GP – The high-speed Losail circuit hosts the penultimate race, where tire degradation and track limits typically generate controversy.
Abu Dhabi GP – The season finale at Yas Marina will likely determine both championship titles after the Las Vegas GP chaos.
Every point earned after the Las Vegas GP carries enormous weight as teams and drivers navigate the championship’s closing stages.
Las Vegas GP 2025: Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025 Las Vegas GP?
Max Verstappen claimed victory at the 2025 Las Vegas GP, his second consecutive win at the circuit and 69th career Formula 1 victory for Red Bull Racing.
Why were McLaren disqualified from the Race?
Both McLaren drivers were disqualified from the Race after post-race technical inspections revealed their rear skid blocks measured below the mandatory 9 mm minimum thickness required by FIA regulations.
What was the final podium?
After McLaren’s disqualification, the Las Vegas GP podium consisted of Max Verstappen (first), George Russell (second), and Kimi Antonelli (third), delivering Mercedes an unexpected double podium finish.
How did the affect the championship?
The Las Vegas GP dramatically tightened the championship battle. Lando Norris lost significant points through disqualification while Max Verstappen’s victory closed the gap considerably with only two races remaining.
Las Vegas GP 2025: Final Thoughts
The 2025 Las Vegas GP will be remembered as one of the season’s most consequential races. Max Verstappen’s commanding victory combined with McLaren’s devastating disqualification has created an unpredictable championship finale that will keep fans engaged until Abu Dhabi.
The controversy highlights Formula 1’s unforgiving technical regulations while demonstrating that races can be won and lost hours after the checkered flag. As the sport heads to Qatar, every team will scrutinize their Las Vegas GP data to ensure technical compliance while maximizing performance.
For Formula 1 fans, the Race delivered everything the sport promises: spectacular racing under the neon lights, strategic battles, and championship drama that extends well beyond the final lap. The legacy of this will shape the remainder of the 2025 season and potentially influence how teams approach future street circuits.
Stay tuned for our Qatar GP preview as the championship battle intensifies following the dramatic Las Vegas GP conclusion.