Night Race Recap: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025
The recent Las Vegas Grand Prix, held on November 23, 2025, marked the 22nd race of the Formula 1 season. This exciting event took place on a temporary street circuit along the iconic Las Vegas Strip, the bustling main avenue of Nevada’s largest city. The race was filled with thrilling moments, significant performances, and some surprising outcomes that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Verstappen’s Victory and Key Performances
Max Verstappen, driving for Oracle Red Bull Racing, claimed victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix after starting from the second position on the grid. He quickly took control of the race right from the first corner of the opening lap, showcasing his exceptional racing skills. Verstappen not only crossed the finish line in first place but also secured the fastest lap of the race, earning him the title of "Driver of the Day" as voted by fans.
Kimi Antonelli, who started from 17th position, delivered a remarkable performance. Despite receiving a 5-second penalty for a false start, he managed to serve the penalty and still finish on the podium, demonstrating his resilience and skill under pressure. Meanwhile, George Russell from Mercedes-AMG Petronas finished in second place, contributing to a strong showing for the team.
Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen’s teammate, unfortunately did not score any points, finishing in 12th place after starting from the pit lane due to an engine change. The team had hoped for a better outcome from the Japanese driver, but circumstances didn’t align for him during the race.
McLaren’s Disqualification After Race Conclusion
In a shocking turn of events shortly after the race concluded, the FIA announced the disqualification of both McLaren cars due to a technical infringement. The wooden plank located beneath the car’s floor, a critical component for ensuring safety and performance, had worn down beyond the allowable limits. Consequently, Lando Norris, who initially finished in second place, was stripped of his position, while his teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished fourth, also faced similar consequences.
This disqualification marked the third occurrence of excessive wear on the plank this season, following similar penalties for Scuderia Ferrari’s drivers earlier in the year. It’s a reminder of the stringent regulations teams must adhere to in Formula 1, where even minor oversights can result in significant penalties.
Performance Analysis of Other Teams
Scuderia Ferrari
Ferrari returned to the top 10 after a disappointing double retirement in Brazil earlier this month. Charles Leclerc finished in fourth place, a respectable outcome after starting from ninth. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, managed to clinch eighth place, which reflected a tough weekend for the seven-time champion who had qualified in 20th after a disappointing showing in Q1.
Atlassian Williams Racing
At Williams, Carlos Sainz emerged as a standout performer. He qualified third and finished fifth, capitalizing on the disqualification of the McLaren drivers. His consistent performance throughout the weekend showcased the team’s potential in challenging conditions. However, his teammate, Alex Albon, had a rough race, starting from 16th and ultimately retiring due to a collision with Hamilton, which also resulted in a penalty for Albon.
Visa Cash App RB
For the sister team of Red Bull Racing, the race was mixed in terms of outcomes. Isack Hadjar managed to secure sixth place, contributing valuable points for the team. In contrast, Liam Lawson had a challenging race, starting from sixth but falling back to 14th after sustaining damage from a collision early in the race.
Stake Kick Sauber
Stake Kick Sauber had a similar situation with only one car finishing in the points. Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh after starting 11th, marking a solid performance for the team. However, Gabriel Bortoleto faced a chaotic race, retiring after a collision with Lance Stroll in the opening lap, which resulted in a penalty for him.
MoneyGram Haas
The Haas team enjoyed a fruitful race day, scoring points with both cars due to the disqualification of the McLaren drivers. Esteban Ocon finished ninth, while Oliver Bearman crossed the line in tenth, marking a successful outing for the American team and pushing them up to seventh place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Teams Without Points
Several teams left Las Vegas without scoring any points, including Aston Martin Aramco and BWT Alpine. This result highlights the competitive nature of the championship, where even minor mistakes can have significant consequences.
Championship Standings
Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the drivers’ championship standings saw some notable shifts. Lando Norris remains at the top with 390 points, closely followed by Oscar Piastri with 366 points. Max Verstappen is tied with Piastri but sits in third place due to the points distribution from previous races.
The Constructors’ Championship is led by McLaren, who has amassed an impressive 756 points, firmly establishing themselves as the dominant team this season. Mercedes-AMG Petronas and Oracle Red Bull Racing follow in second and third, respectively, showcasing a competitive battle among the top teams.
Top 10 Drivers’ Championship Standings
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 390 points
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 366 points
- Max Verstappen (Oracle Red Bull Racing) – 366 points
- George Russell (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) – 294 points
- Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari) – 226 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Scuderia Ferrari) – 152 points
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) – 137 points
- Alex Albon (Atlassian Williams Racing) – 73 points
- Isack Hadjar (Visa Cash App RB) – 51 points
- Nico Hulkenberg (Stake Kick Sauber) – 49 points
Constructors’ Championship Standings
- McLaren – 756 points (Champions)
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas – 431 points
- Oracle Red Bull Racing – 391 points
- Scuderia Ferrari – 378 points
- Atlassian Williams Racing – 121 points
- Visa Cash App RB – 90 points
- MoneyGram Haas – 73 points
- Aston Martin Aramco – 72 points
- Stake Kick Sauber – 68 points
- BWT Alpine – 22 points
Upcoming Race
The next event on the Formula 1 calendar is the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for November 30, 2025. With the season nearing its conclusion, teams will be eager to capitalize on their momentum or recover from their setbacks. The excitement continues as the battle for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships intensifies in the final races of the season.
As the season approaches its climax, fans can expect thrilling performances, strategic battles, and perhaps more surprises along the way. The Las Vegas Grand Prix certainly delivered on the excitement front, setting an exhilarating tone for the races to come.
