Max Verstappen of Team Red Bull dominated the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night, securing his 18th victory in 21 races this season. Despite a collision early on in the race and a subsequent five-second penalty, Verstappen managed to work his way back to the top spot, leaving his competition in the dust.
The race began at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, and was packed with excitement from the start. Verstappen was penalized for forcing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc’s car off the track in the very first corner. Additionally, he suffered front-wing damage in a crash with Mercedes’ George Russell. However, neither obstacle proved to be too significant for the Dutch driver, as he successfully overtook his competitors to secure the win.
Leclerc ultimately succumbed to Verstappen’s prowess, but not without a fight. He found himself in a close race for second place with Red Bull’s Segio Perez. Ultimately, Leclerc’s Ferrari zoomed past Perez’s Honda on the final straight, securing his position behind Verstappen.
After Verstappen’s dominant victory, the finishing positions were as follows:
– Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
– Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
– Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
– Esteban Ocon (Alpine Renault)
– Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Notably, Verstappen holds the record for most single-season victories in a season, setting it with his 16th win in Mexico City last month. With one more Grand Prix to go in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen has the potential to finish the season with 19 wins in 22 meetings, a record that is unlikely to be challenged by anyone other than himself.
Overall, the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix was a thrilling event, showcasing Verstappen’s incredible skills and cementing his status as a dominant force in the world of Formula 1 racing.
