Max Verstappen He spent the week criticizing F1’s attempt to promote a Grand Prix in Las Vegas, but when the going got tough he once again imposed his own rule in a race dominated by Red Bull. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) had to settle for second place in free practice and qualifying, shining on the Strip track and singing “Viva Las Vegas” in the Dutch celebration. Max equalized Sebastian Vettel with his 53rd victory in F1, while Checo Pérez completed the podium in the return of the ‘casino city’ to the Formula 1 calendar after forty years.
Carlos Sainz, who started the race from 12th place, had a difficult start and finished the race in sixth place, as he was sentenced to a penalty due to a sewage problem on the first day. It wasn’t easy for Fernando Alonso either. He failed at the start, colliding with Bottas and falling to the back of the grid, but still managed to qualify ninth.
chaotic exit
Las Vegas Grand Prix has started Verstappen’s controversial maneuverWinning the position from mast sitter Charles Leclerc but later receiving a reward five-second penalty for action.
[Clasificación del Mundial de Fórmula 1]
Unfortunately, the two Spanish drivers ended up at the back of the grid after a chaotic start. Fernando Alonso, Having started very strongly from ninth, spun and collided with Bottas and dropped to 19th, he radioed to warn of the damage to his Aston Martin.
Moreover Checo Pérez was hit This forced him to change the nose of his Red Bull, just like Fernando did. Carlos Sainz got into confusion at the start and lost many positions, falling to 18th place.
At the other end, Lance Stroll and Yuki Tsunoda, who started from the last row on soft tires compared to the majority choice of medium tires, entered the top 10 after an eventful start.
After the first virtual security tool allowed Bottas, Alonso and Checo fix their carsAnother freak accident by Lando Norris, who crashed into the guard barriers on lap 3, led to the second safety car.
Leader sanction
Commissioners sent a message 5″ penalty for the race leader Max Verstappen for blocking Leclerc’s orbit at the start. “You can give them memories,” the three-time champion replied ironically on Red Bull radio, and continued on, leading the race at the same pace.
More than the sanction, what worried Max was his tires, which showed signs of “graining” that Leclerc noticed. The Monegasque driver attacked and overtook the Dutchman on lap 16, just as he called the Red Bull champion to pit, but was forced to serve a penalty during his stop and returned to the track in eleventh place.
When the ‘dance’ of stops begins, With their hard work, Sainz and Alonso temporarily placed themselves in fourth and fifth place. and Checo ‘inherited’ the race lead with Leclerc in the pits.
Russell’s Touch
Russell and Verstappen collided at Turn 12. British Mercedes driver He impressed the Red Bull side When Max has already won the position. The crash covered the track with carbon fiber debris and forced the stewards to order a new safety car, which favored Checo in particular and complicated matters for Leclerc, who regained control of the race.
Verstappen was able to continue without any problems, but Russell, who dropped to ninth place, received a 5″ penalty for his maneuver at the border. Following the incident, Sainz finished tenth, just ahead of Alonso.
[Calenario de la temporada de la Fórmula 1]
Leclerc was stunned
Pérez took advantage of the opportunity he had with DRS to launch a dazzling attack on Leclerc and regain the race lead with 18 laps remaining. After the problems with the medium tire Two Red Bulls ‘flew’ around the track with the hardest compound Pirelli and Verstappen fell to third place behind Ferrari.
The Monegasque overtook Checo after a mistake and his teammate overtook the Mexican shortly afterwards. Max put in a fast lap, ‘hunting’ Leclerc with 14 laps to go and managing that advantage with payoff. Although Checo was frustrated after missing out on the best chance of the season to win, he managed to pass Ferrari, who took a blow on the final lap and finished second.
Albon’s move off the line allowed Sainz (9th) and Alonso (10th) to take place; They were ahead of Russell under the threat of sanctions and with a worse pace. The British took their punishment and after Piastri’s mistake, Sainz managed to finish the race in sixth place. Alonso ninth, minimizes damage.
The World Cup curtain will come down next week Abu Dhabi GP and no matter what, with the absolute victory record of Max Verstappen, who today added the 18th of the course to his record.