F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: Key Winners and Losers Revealed

The Las Vegas Grand Prix was marked by unexpected drama and significant implications for the F1 standings. A pivotal double disqualification of McLaren drivers reshaped the landscape of the championship race, affecting several competitors. Below is a breakdown of the key winners and losers from this eventful evening in Nevada.

Winner: Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen secured first place, marking his sixth victory of the 2025 season. The win was facilitated by Lando Norris’s early mistake, giving Verstappen the lead almost immediately. Following the race, McLaren’s disqualification boosted Verstappen’s championship hopes significantly. He went from being 42 points behind Norris to only 24 points behind with two races left in the season.

Loser: McLaren

The double disqualification of both McLaren drivers from the race could be one of the most disappointing moments in the team’s history. Initially, their results appeared competitive, but this outcome may derail their drivers’ championship aspirations. They now need to navigate the challenge of supporting either Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris while managing Verstappen’s title chase.

Winner: Kimi Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli finished in third place, showcasing impressive control amid technical issues with George Russell’s car. He demonstrated exceptional racecraft by managing tire wear over a 48-lap stint and kept his distance from competitors, including Piastri and Charles Leclerc. This performance solidified Antonelli’s promising potential in his rookie season.

Loser: Gabriel Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto’s season has hit a rough patch, culminating in a disqualification after a collision with Lance Stroll. This incident followed a crash in the previous race, emphasizing his struggles in maintaining consistent performance. Bortoleto acknowledged his fault and will face a five-place grid penalty in the next race in Qatar.

Loser: Ferrari

Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished in fourth and eighth, respectively. Despite some gains, Leclerc expressed frustration with the results, calling it “disappointing.” The team’s lack of performance has impacted their fight for second in the constructors’ championship.

Winner: Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz managed to secure a strong fifth place, considering the challenging race conditions. Qualifying third bolstered his standing, and despite starting ahead of faster competitors, Sainz maintained a solid gap to the midfield, marking a successful outing for Williams.

Loser: Alex Albon

Alex Albon faced a series of collisions that led to his disqualification. He struggled throughout the race and has been unable to capitalize on the Williams car’s potential in recent weekends, further emphasizing their difficulties.

Loser: Yuki Tsunoda

Tsunoda finished in 12th place and failed to make significant progress during the race. His performance highlighted ongoing concerns as he faces uncertainties regarding his future in F1.

Loser: Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly’s race ended prematurely due to an incident caused by Bortoleto. Frustrated by the outcome, he noted the challenges faced by the Alpine team throughout the season as they risk finishing last in the constructors’ standings.

Winner: Nico Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg secured seventh place, outperforming expectations as he successfully held off a Ferrari charge. This result positions Sauber favorably in their battle against other constructors.

Loser: Aston Martin

Aston Martin faced a lackluster performance with Lance Stroll retiring early and Fernando Alonso unable to extract competitive pace. Their results indicate ongoing struggles as the season progresses.

Loser: Liam Lawson

Liam Lawson finished 14th after suffering damage from a first-lap incident. Although he avoided a penalty, the damage impacted his race performance significantly, resulting in a lonely drive to the finish line.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix has reshuffled the standings and added complexity to the championship. As the season approaches its conclusion, the tension continues to rise among drivers and teams alike.