Max Verstappen didn’t just win the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix—he rewrote its history. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, the Dutch driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing crossed the line at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Paradise, Nevada, with a staggering 20.741-second lead—the largest winning margin in the race’s short history. But the real shock came hours later: both McLaren Formula 1 Team cars, driven by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were disqualified for technical breaches, instantly elevating Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to its first double podium of the season. George Russell took second, Kimi Antonelli third, and the entire championship landscape shifted overnight.
The Disqualification That Changed Everything
The disqualification of Norris and Piastri wasn’t a minor technicality—it was a seismic event. Post-race scrutineering found both McLarens in violation of Article 3.15.1 of the FIA Technical Regulations, concerning rear wing flexibility limits. The team had pushed the aerodynamic envelope too far, a gamble that paid off on track but crumbled under the microscope. The result? Both cars were stripped of points, erasing what would’ve been a 1-2 finish and turning a McLaren celebration into a quiet walk back to the garage. For Verstappen, it was the perfect storm. He’d already dominated the race, leading 57 of 71 laps, controlling pace with surgical precision. But the disqualification didn’t just hand him a win—it revived his title hopes. Before Las Vegas, Norris led the championship by 28 points; Piastri sat third, 15 behind. After the penalty, Verstappen closed the gap to Norris by 28 points and tied Piastri on 298 points. With just one race left—the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 7, 2025—the title fight is alive again.Mercedes’ Unexpected Renaissance
For Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Las Vegas was a lifeline. George Russell, battling a recurring steering issue since qualifying, drove with grit. "I had the steering problem again from about Lap 5," Russell admitted post-race. "I managed to drive around it... then at the start of my second stint, when Verstappen came out of the pits, I thought, ‘Right, I’m going to attack now.’ I grained my tyres." His ability to manage degradation under pressure was key. Meanwhile, rookie Kimi Antonelli—just 18 years old and racing in only his 12th Formula 1 start—held off late charges from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to secure his first podium. It was Mercedes’ first 1-2 since Monaco in 2024, and their first-ever double podium in Las Vegas. The significance? After a season plagued by reliability woes and underperformance, this result proved the W16 still has fight. Antonelli’s rise, in particular, signals a new era. He’s now the youngest podium finisher in Mercedes history, surpassing Lewis Hamilton’s record set in 2007.Verstappen’s Milestone Run
This win was Verstappen’s 125th career podium in 231 starts. It was also his eighth consecutive podium of 2025—the third-longest streak of his career. And it ended his streak of seven straight wins from pole position. He didn’t start first this time; he started second. But he still won by over 20 seconds. It was also the 150th Grand Prix for the Oracle Red Bull Racing-Honda partnership. Since 2019, they’ve won 74 races. This one felt symbolic. Verstappen now has eight wins in the U.S.—four in Austin, two in Miami, two in Las Vegas. He also took the DHL Fastest Lap Award, his third of the season. "I’m very proud of everyone," Verstappen said. "We’ve had a really up and down season and tough times, but also really beautiful moments... we learned a lot. That’s valuable for the upcoming years. We have to cling onto that and come back stronger."
Chaos, Collisions, and Confusion
The race wasn’t all smooth sailing. On Lap 1, a pile-up at Turn 1 took out Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber). Alex Albon (Williams) retired after a collision with Lewis Hamilton, who started last after a power unit penalty. Hamilton, mistakenly labeled a Ferrari driver in one early report, clawed his way to 10th with a hard-tyre strategy—a point he didn’t need, but took anyway. Pierre Gasly’s Alpine spun 180 degrees at the start. Fernando Alonso finished 13th. Ollie Bearman, driving for Haas, ran inside the top 10 early before fading. Yuki Tsunoda started from the pit lane after a gearbox change. The chaos was a reminder: even in a race dominated by one driver, Formula 1 remains a sport of fractions.What’s Next: Abu Dhabi Decides It All
With only one race left, the 2025 championship is a three-way tie at the top: Norris leads with 326 points, Verstappen and Piastri are tied at 298. But with a 28-point gap to close, Verstappen needs a perfect weekend in Abu Dhabi and for Norris to falter. A win for Verstappen, plus a DNF or poor finish from Norris, could see the title swing. The Yas Marina Circuit favors high-downforce cars—something McLaren has struggled with this year. Red Bull’s pace on low-downforce tracks like Las Vegas suggests they’re still the favorite. The FIA’s decision to uphold the McLaren disqualification sends a clear message: no team is above the rules. Liberty Media, the FIA, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spent $500 million to make this race a spectacle. But on Sunday, November 22, 2025, it became a legal and sporting watershed.
Background: The Rise of Las Vegas in F1
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, revived in 2023 after a 38-year absence, has quickly become one of Formula 1’s most iconic events. Held on a 6.120-kilometer street circuit winding past the Strip’s neon-lit casinos and hotels, it’s a race that blends high-speed racing with Hollywood glitz. The 2024 edition was won by Verstappen in a rain-soaked thriller. This year’s event, held exactly one year later, was drier, faster, and more decisive. The partnership between Formula One Management, the FIA, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has turned the race into a global marketing juggernaut. But behind the fireworks, the sport’s integrity remains paramount. The McLaren disqualification proved that.Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Norris and Piastri disqualified?
Both McLaren drivers were disqualified for violating Article 3.15.1 of the FIA Technical Regulations, which governs rear wing flexibility. Their cars exceeded allowable deformation limits under aerodynamic load during the race. While the team claimed the design was legal, post-race testing confirmed the violation. The penalty wiped out their 1-2 finish and shifted the championship balance dramatically.
How does this affect Max Verstappen’s championship chances?
Before Las Vegas, Verstappen trailed Norris by 28 points. After the disqualifications, he’s now tied with Piastri and just 28 points behind Norris—with only the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remaining. A win in Abu Dhabi, combined with a finish outside the top three from Norris, gives Verstappen a realistic shot at his fifth world title. The pressure shifts to McLaren now.
Is this the first time McLaren has been disqualified from a podium in F1 history?
No. McLaren has been disqualified from podium positions before—most notably in the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, when Kimi Räikkönen’s win was upgraded after their cars were penalized for illegal fuel flow. But this is the first time both McLaren drivers were disqualified from a 1-2 finish in the same race. It’s one of the most significant penalties in the team’s modern history.
What does Kimi Antonelli’s podium mean for Mercedes?
Antonelli’s third-place finish is historic. At 18, he’s the youngest podium finisher in Mercedes history, breaking Lewis Hamilton’s 2007 record. More importantly, it signals the team’s long-term future is secure. With Hamilton nearing retirement, Antonelli—son of former F1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi—is being positioned as Mercedes’ next star. His composure under pressure in Las Vegas suggests he’s ready.
Why did Verstappen’s streak of pole-to-win victories end?
Verstappen started second in Las Vegas after a poor qualifying session, where he lost time due to traffic and a slight error in Sector 3. He hadn’t started from pole since the Japanese Grand Prix in October. His ability to win from second shows his racecraft is evolving—he’s no longer reliant on grid position. This might be the mark of a true champion adapting to adversity.
What’s the significance of the Red Bull-Honda 150th race milestone?
The partnership between Red Bull and Honda began in 2019 after Honda’s return to F1 as a supplier. Since then, they’ve won 74 races, 11 constructors’ titles, and four drivers’ championships. The 150th race marks the most successful engine partnership in modern F1 history. Verstappen’s win in Las Vegas was the 150th start of this alliance—and it came at the perfect time, just before Honda’s contract ends in 2025. It’s a fitting farewell.