LAS VEGAS — Max Verstappen returns to the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the reigning champion and is on the verge of securing his fourth consecutive Formula 1 title.
The Dutch driver needs only to finish ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris in Saturday night’s race to clinch the championship. Verstappen is set to start from fifth position, with Norris right behind him in sixth.
If Norris fails to outperform Verstappen by three points on the vibrant streets of Las Vegas, he will also lose his chance at the title. The race marks the second annual event and is once again organized by Liberty Media, the entity that holds the commercial rights for Formula 1.
Last year’s inaugural race encountered significant issues, including deep-seated community frustrations over construction, traffic disruptions, and increased prices for locals and tourists alike.
There were struggles with access to various local businesses, and the race’s ticket prices also faced criticism for being excessively high. Notably, a loose valve cover caused a major delay for Carlos Sainz Jr.’s Ferrari during the first practice session, leading to huge disruption as fans were evacuated and practice was extended until 4 a.m. when streets had to reopen to the public.
This year’s event seems to be running smoother, largely because the prior year’s infrastructure challenges have been addressed and last year’s race was quite thrilling despite the initial chaos.
George Russell of Mercedes will start from pole position ahead of Sainz, who is eager to redeem himself after the troubles he faced last year that resulted in a penalty due to vehicle damage.
Ferrari appears poised to be a strong contender this time around, potentially intensifying the tension in the Constructors’ Championship, where Red Bull, the reigning champions, have dropped to third place behind McLaren and Ferrari.
As this race marks the first in the final trio of races for the season, McLaren currently holds a narrow 36-point lead, with the championship prize estimated at $150 million. McLaren has not claimed a Constructors’ title since 1998, while Ferrari last won it in 2008.
This race is significant as it is the last F1 stop in the U.S. for the year, highlighting the sport’s increasing popularity in America over the past five years.
The calendar includes races in Miami, Austin, Texas, and Las Vegas, marking the highest number of races in any country.
After the Las Vegas event, Formula 1 is expected to announce plans to expand the grid to 11 teams to accommodate an American team sponsored by General Motors’ Cadillac brand.
Initially, the team was founded by Michael Andretti, who did not gain approval for his expansion.
Andretti has since passed his ownership stake to Dan Towriss and Mark Walter, who is the principal owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are poised to establish the Cadillac F1 team, which could join the grid in 2026.
The forthcoming announcement about the American team was withheld to ensure focus remains on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a centerpiece event for Liberty Media.
Last year’s initial costs were estimated to reach nearly $1 billion, but expenses have been streamlined this time.
Nevertheless, Liberty has pulled out all the stops to ensure that the event is filled with glitz and glamour.
The race circuit features nightclubs, an ice-skating rink, and top musical acts, with a 10 p.m. start time, aiming to capture the essence of a spectacular Las Vegas Saturday night event.
