Las Vegas is known for excess – bright lights, big bets, and, occasionally, someone walking out and about with everything or even nothing on!
Enter Max Verstappen to claim his fourth world title.
All he had to do was keep Lando Norris behind him. Easy, right? And he did just that – by driving like he had a dinner reservation he couldn’t miss.
Meanwhile, Mercedes, a team you could’ve sworn had gone into witness protection, decided this was their moment. A one-two finish with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton was the kind of plot twist even Hollywood wouldn’t script in this 2024 season.
A Championship Won Without Breaking a Sweat
Verstappen’s job was simple: don’t do anything stupid. And boy, did he nail it. He locked in fifth place with all the urgency of someone browsing a Las Vegas buffet line. At one point, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc’s Ferraris loomed large in his mirrors. Did Max defend his position? Not a chance. “Go ahead, lads,” he seemed to say. “I’m just here to pick up the trophy.”
That’s not to say it was dull. The Dutchman still found time to flex his skills, fending off Norris in the early laps. But when Red Bull told him to keep his eyes on the prize, he delivered an ice-cold response: “I’m doing my own race.” Translation? “I’ve got this covered, mate.”
Mercedes: The Comeback Kings
Here’s a sentence you haven’t read in a while: Mercedes dominated! No, seriously. George Russell was untouchable, leading from the pole like it was 2020 all over again. He managed the slippery track, cool conditions, and relentless pressure with the kind of calm you’d expect from someone filling in a crossword puzzle.
Behind him, Hamilton was in a mood. Starting tenth, he sliced through the field with a performance that screamed, “Don’t forget who I am!” By lap 30, he was staring at Russell’s rear wing. And while George held him off, you could feel the team boss Toto Wolff grinning somewhere backstage, probably holding a pint and whispering, “We’re back.”
Mercedes’ pit wall, often accused of overthinking strategies, finally got their act together. A one-two finish was exactly what they needed to remind everyone they were not done yet. Toto Wolff probably celebrated with a stiff drink – and a smug grin aimed squarely at Red Bull.
Ferrari: Close, But No Cigar
Ah, Ferrari. So fast, so promising, and yet, so Ferrari. Carlos Sainz nabbed third place after a solid drive, while Charles Leclerc gave his tyres such a hard time that they probably filed a formal complaint. Leclerc’s pace vanished early on, forcing an awkward pit stop that turned his race into one long game of catch-up.
Still, they both finished ahead of Verstappen, which might’ve been a moral victory – if anyone cared about moral victories.
Lando’s Nightmare
If Lando Norris was Vegas’ hopeful gambler, he left the casino with empty pockets. Sixth place wasn’t just disappointing; it was a knockout punch to his already slim title hopes. Sure, he grabbed the fastest lap, but that’s like finding a fiver in the back of a cab after losing your wallet.
And Oscar Piastri? His race ended before it began with a jump-start penalty. Rookie error? Maybe. But McLaren’s strategy team didn’t help, leaving both drivers in no man’s land.
Midfield Madness
The midfield was pure carnage – think of it as Las Vegas traffic on a Friday night. Pierre Gasly, who started a remarkable third, suffered an engine failure that left him shouting French obscenities louder than the slot machines. Nico Hulkenberg, meanwhile, drove like he had something to prove, snatching eighth in a Haas that looked about as stable as a jelly on roller skates.
Sergio Perez, in the other Red Bull, decided to salvage some pride with a move that defied all logic and physics: overtaking two cars in one corner. It was glorious. Too bad it only earned him one measly point.
At the back, Williams’ Franco Colapinto managed to finish after his qualifying crash, while Alex Albon’s car decided it had had enough halfway through the race.
The Red Bull Champion Parade
When the dust settled, Verstappen cruised into parc fermé, threw on his world champion cap, and barely broke a smile. Four titles, all consecutive. The guy’s only 27 and already carving his name alongside the greats.
But the real winners of the night? Mercedes. Russell’s victory and Hamilton’s comeback showed they still know how to fight. And while Red Bull’s been dominant, the Silver Arrows’ performance was a not-so-gentle reminder: never count them out.
Vegas: Bright Lights, Big Drama
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was everything you’d want from Formula 1: high stakes, bold moves, and enough chaos to make even the most seasoned fan gasp. Verstappen took the title, but Mercedes stole the show. And as the teams packed up and the Strip buzzed on, one thing was clear: this race belongs on the calendar – not just for the glitz, but for the sheer, unfiltered madness.
