Winners and Losers from a Dramatic Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix

The Las Vegas Grand Prix, initially appearing straightforward after some opening-lap chaos, took an unexpected turn with McLaren's double disqualification. This post-race decision significantly altered the outcomes, boosting some drivers' championship hopes while compounding misery for others. Max Verstappen emerged as a key beneficiary, dramatically improving his title chances, while McLaren suffered a substantial setback.

Why it matters:

• McLaren's double disqualification fundamentally reshaped the championship picture, intensifying the battle at the top with only two weekends remaining.
• This unexpected twist highlights the critical role of post-race technical scrutiny in F1, capable of altering race narratives and championship standings.
• For several teams and drivers, the Vegas GP offered a mix of unexpected opportunities and profound disappointments, showcasing the unpredictable nature of top-tier motorsport.

The Details:

• Max Verstappen (Winner): What began as a seemingly straightforward sixth win of 2025 became even more significant. McLaren's double disqualification moved him from 42 points to just 24 points behind Norris, significantly bolstering his outsider F1 title hopes.
• McLaren (Loser): From a sporting perspective, this was potentially one of McLaren's worst weekends in F1 history. The disqualifications transformed a seemingly acceptable result into a terrifying threat from Verstappen, potentially forcing difficult strategic decisions between their drivers' title aspirations.
• Kimi Antonelli (Winner): Despite a minor start infringement, Antonelli's drive was remarkably veteran-like. He managed his tires over a 48-lap stint, defended against Piastri, and extended his lead to escape a five-second penalty, showcasing maturity beyond a rookie.
• Gabriel Bortoleto (Loser): Bortoleto's impressive rookie season hit a snag with another collision, this time wiping Lance Stroll's Aston Martin out of the race at Turn 1. He admitted his mistake, leading to a five-place grid penalty for the next race in Qatar.
• Ferrari (Loser): Despite gaining ground post-race, both Charles Leclerc (4th) and Lewis Hamilton (8th) expressed deep disappointment. Leclerc called it his "best race in terms of personal performance" but found the outcome frustrating. Hamilton described it as his "worst season ever," reflecting ongoing struggles.
• Carlos Sainz (Winner): Sainz delivered an exceptional performance for Williams, qualifying third in difficult wet conditions and finishing fifth. He maintained a significant gap to the midfield, demonstrating his class.
• Alex Albon (Loser): Albon's weekend was plagued by collisions and radio failure. He experienced separate incidents at Turn 1 and with Hamilton, indicating a lack of clean running and an inability to maximize the Williams' pace.
• Yuki Tsunoda (Loser): Tsunoda's 12th-place finish, nearly 97 seconds behind his race-winning teammate Verstappen, was described as particularly limp. This marked his first consecutive finish outside the points, raising questions about his future at Red Bull.
• Pierre Gasly (Loser): Gasly's race ended prematurely due to Bortoleto's blunder on the first lap, resulting in a smashed diffuser and another non-score for Alpine. The team now faces a real chance of finishing last in the constructors' standings.
• Nico Hulkenberg (Winner): Hulkenberg secured a commendable 7th place, managing to keep a Ferrari behind him comfortably. This result significantly improved Sauber's position relative to Haas and Aston Martin in the constructors' battle.
• Aston Martin (Loser): Stroll's race ended early due to Bortoleto, while Fernando Alonso, despite carrying damage, noted a lack of inherent pace in dry conditions, leaving the team without strong results.
• Liam Lawson (Loser): Lawson was fortunate to avoid a penalty for a Turn 1 mistake that caused race-wrecking damage. He finished a lap down in 14th, marking a disappointing outcome.

What's next:

With the championship battle now incredibly tight and the constructors' standings still in flux, the final two races are set to be thrilling. McLaren will be under immense pressure to regroup and minimize the impact of Verstappen's renewed threat, while teams like Sauber will aim to capitalize on any remaining opportunities to improve their championship positions. The consequences of the Vegas GP will undoubtedly shape strategic decisions and driver performances in the concluding rounds of the season.