2025 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: Driver Ratings Revealed

The 2025 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, kicking off the season's final triple-header, saw Max Verstappen secure a dominant win amidst a dramatic title fight. McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified, further intensifying the championship battle.

Why it matters:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix was a pivotal race in the 2025 F1 season, significantly impacting the championship standings. The disqualification of both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, created a major shake-up, bringing Max Verstappen back into a stronger contention for the title with just two rounds remaining. This result sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.

The Details:

• Max Verstappen (9.5): Despite missing pole, Verstappen capitalized on an early Norris mistake and drove an unchallenged race to victory, keeping his title hopes alive. His race management was exemplary.
• George Russell (9): Overcame a power steering issue in qualifying and tyre degradation during the race to secure a strong second place, his first podium since Singapore. His drive was notable for its resilience.
• Kimi Antonelli (9): Recovered from a Q1 exit and an early false start penalty. His mature driving, especially holding off Piastri and Leclerc in the final laps, proved crucial as he was later promoted to a podium finish after the McLaren disqualifications.
• Carlos Sainz (8.5): Delivered an impressive performance for Williams, securing a P5 finish (after penalties) and his best result of the season outside of his Azerbaijan podium, highlighting Williams' surprising pace on the Las Vegas circuit.
• Isack Hadjar (8.5): Described his race as 'boring' but maintained a strong points-scoring position, further cementing his reputation as one of the most impressive rookies and bolstering his case for a Red Bull promotion.

Between the lines:

The McLaren disqualification not only impacted their drivers' individual standings but also had significant implications for the constructors' championship. The consistent underperformance of certain drivers, such as Alex Albon and Gabriel Bortoleto, highlights the immense pressure and high stakes in F1, where a single mistake can derail an entire weekend. The contrasting performances between teammates, like Sainz and Albon at Williams, also reveal how critical driver adaptation to specific track conditions and car setups can be.

The bottom five:

• Oscar Piastri (5.5): Struggled with pace compared to Norris throughout the weekend. The disqualification prevented his deficit to Norris from widening but left him tied on points with Verstappen, intensifying the championship pressure.
• Liam Lawson (5.5): Damaged his front wing in a Turn 1 incident with Piastri, effectively ruining his race and putting his Red Bull future under further scrutiny.
• Yuki Tsunoda (5.5): Suffered from a team tyre pressure error in qualifying and started from the pit lane after car changes. Finished well down on teammate Verstappen, further diminishing his Red Bull prospects.
• Alex Albon (4): A nightmare weekend, featuring a qualifying crash, an opening-corner incident, and an eventual retirement due to damage. A missed opportunity given his teammate's strong performance.
• Gabriel Bortoleto (3): Continued a tough run, causing a multi-car collision on the opening lap and earning a five-place grid penalty for the next race in Qatar.

What's next:

The 2025 F1 season now heads into its final two rounds with the championship battle tighter than ever. Verstappen's victory in Las Vegas has provided a significant boost, while the McLaren disqualifications have thrown the title fight wide open. The upcoming races will be critical for all contenders, especially Piastri and Verstappen, as they vie for the ultimate prize.