Five Key Storylines for the F1 Las Vegas GP

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is poised to deliver high drama with Mercedes' past dominance under question, McLaren's quest for a maiden podium, Max Verstappen's championship hopes hanging in the balance, and Ferrari's drivers facing scrutiny after recent criticism. Colder weather conditions also add another layer of intrigue to the race weekend.

Why it matters:

This year's Las Vegas GP offers several compelling narratives that could significantly impact the championship fight and team dynamics. Mercedes' ability to replicate last year's victory, McLaren's pursuit of a historic podium, and the intense pressure on Ferrari's star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, will all be critical in shaping the outcome of the race and potentially the season.

The details:

• Mercedes' Vegas Hopes: Despite a dominant one-two finish in 2024, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff expresses skepticism about their W16's ability to repeat that performance, citing fundamental differences from its predecessor. George Russell led most of the 2024 race from pole, with Lewis Hamilton recovering from 10th to secure second.
• McLaren's Podium Pursuit: McLaren has surprisingly never achieved a podium at the modern Las Vegas track, with their best finish being John Watson's second place at Caesars Palace in 1982. Last year, the team struggled with both cars out in Q1 and only Oscar Piastri scoring a single point. Team principal Andrea Stella is cautiously optimistic this year due to improved track-specific setups and reduced tire graining, though Lando Norris remains wary.
• Verstappen's Title Bid: Max Verstappen faces a real, albeit not overwhelming, chance of being mathematically eliminated from the title fight in Las Vegas. His deficit to Lando Norris would need to increase from 49 to 58 points. This could happen if Norris finishes in the top five and Verstappen has a poor race, or if Norris wins and Verstappen finishes no higher than third. Norris has outscored Verstappen by nine or more points on seven occasions in 2025, but only once without winning (Monaco, Spain, Austria, Britain, Hungary, Mexico, Brazil).
• Ferrari Drivers Under Scrutiny: Ferrari president John Elkann's recent criticism of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, stating they "need to focus on driving and talk less" after a poor Brazilian GP and a winless season, has sent shockwaves through the team. Elkann praised the mechanics and engineers, implying driver performance is the core issue as Ferrari has dropped to fourth in the constructors' championship. The response from both Leclerc, usually team-focused, and Hamilton, who is striving to match his teammate's pace, will be closely watched.
• Cold Weather Conditions: Forecasts predict colder than usual temperatures for the race weekend: 10C (50F) for free practice, 8C (46F) for qualifying, and 11C (52F) for the race. These temperatures are significantly cooler than the previous two Vegas GPs (around 16-17C) and could impact tire performance, though it's likely not cold enough to become a major issue for the Pirelli rubber.

What's next:

The performance of Mercedes will indicate whether their 2024 dominance was an anomaly or a sign of latent potential for specific track types. McLaren's ability to overcome their past Vegas struggles will be a key test of their season-long improvements. For Verstappen, avoiding an early title elimination will be paramount, while Leclerc and Hamilton's on-track response to public criticism from Ferrari's top brass will reveal much about their resilience and the team's internal dynamics. The cooler weather could also introduce unexpected variables, challenging teams to adapt their strategies for optimal tire performance.