Las Vegas gets entertainment in XXL format from Formula 1. Event critic Verstappen wins the crash spectacle and draws level with Vettel. Teammate Perez is runner-up.
In a white Elvis Presley commemorative jumpsuit, show critic Max Verstappen sang the song “Viva Las Vegas” by the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and enjoyed the flashy fireworks over the gambling metropolis.
For motorsport purists from the Netherlands, in the sea of lights in the desert city, there was no longer any talk of being unfamiliar with the entertainment stronghold, at least outwardly. Verstappen extended his Formula 1 record series with his 18th win of the season and drew level with Sebastian Vettel with his 53rd Grand Prix success.
“We’ve seen a lot of good racing here,” said Verstappen on the podium, which was modeled on an oversized slot machine. He had previously criticized the entertainment character of the event and expressed his solidarity with alienated fans. “I hope everyone had a bit of fun and I’m looking forward to coming back next year,” said Verstappen gently.
Even a time penalty doesn’t stop Verstappen
Despite a five-second penalty in the crash spectacle with three safety car phases, the world champion crowned his comeback. The Red Bull driver relegated Charles Leclerc to second place in the Ferrari.
“Despite second place, I really enjoyed the fight, but of course I would have liked to win,” said Leclerc, who was once again unable to celebrate a win of the season despite his fifth pole position this year. “There couldn’t have been a better race in Las Vegas.”
Fountains shoot up in front of the luxury Hotel Bellagio
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 in front of the luxury Bellagio Hotel, where the famous fountains shot up in their honor and provided the organizer with the glossy PR images they were longing for.
“This is a different approach than we are used to,” said Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko on this important weekend for the US Formula 1 rights holders. “The race was great and so: everything was good.”
Hülkenberg retires after engine problems
The show has to be right – especially in Las Vegas, where Formula 1 last raced in 1982. It wasn’t right for Nico Hülkenberg. With three laps to go he had to park his Haas due to engine problems. “I had the feeling that we had more speed, but there was always a lot of traffic. Because of the tire degradation you couldn’t push as hard as you wanted,” explained Hülkenberg.
After the starting grid had been cleared full of 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 right in the first corner. However, the world champion in the Red Bull slipped off the track while overtaking with the Ferrari.
Spins and debris at takeoff
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.
Embarrassment with a defective water shaft
The real safety car had to come out on the fourth lap. Lando Norris lost control of his McLaren and crashed into the barrier in the emergency exit. The Englishman got out of his car on his own and was later examined in detail in hospital.
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.
Farce from the opening training session has legal repercussions
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 “Sphere” dome of lights, Verstappen complained about tires deteriorating 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.
Leclerc catches Pérez
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. The safety car came out again. 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.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
