(Las Vegas) The Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), critic of the spectacle which surrounded the return of Formula 1 to Las Vegas, won on Saturday for the 18th time of the season, after a Grand Prix with twists and turns.
“Viva Las Vegas”, ended up humming – Elvis Presley style – on his radio Verstappen, already assured of a third world champion title, after having criticized the new circuit and its backstage this week, marked by a hiccup on Thursday evening during the first tests.
In the city of all vices, the Dutchman showed all his talent in this area to dominate the holder of the Monegasque leading position Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and his teammate at Red Bull Sergio Perez, who secured 2nd place in the World Championship before the final race of the season next week in Abu Dhabi.
From the start, Verstappen dived into the first corner, braking late to overtake Leclerc, a maneuver later deemed illicit by the stewards who handed him a 5-second penalty. The tricky “Max” also slowed down his opponents on a two-stage restart after the safety car came out (4th lap) and was the author of a muscular but ultimately legal exit from the pits later in the race.
Looking for a first victory this season, Leclerc, back in the lead on the 16th lap (out of 50), definitively gave in to the Dutchman on the 37th, while the changes of leader followed in a beautiful three-way battle with Perez .
The Mexican had started very badly with a pit stop on the first lap, but was able to make a superb comeback with a bit of success and the arrival of the safety car at the right time for him on the 25th lap. However, he was overtaken on the last lap by a superb overtake from Leclerc in a corner, to deprive Red Bull of a double.
Celebrated with great fanfare, the return of F1 to Las Vegas 41 years after two races held in the Caesars Palace parking lot in 1981 and 1982 suffered some criticism and began with an embarrassing day on Thursday, for the start of the tests, which were greatly disrupted through… a manhole cover.
Liberty Media, the company that owns F1, invested heavily in this Grand Prix, which required months of work and affected traffic on the famous Las Vegas Strip and its many hotels.
Max Verstappen was not very enthusiastic about an event geared towards showbiz – “they don’t understand what we do on the track” – nor by the circuit – “not interesting” -, the equivalent according to him of the National League (5th English division)” compared to the Champions League on the Monaco street circuit, according to him.
Among the stars present in Vegas, the cameras were able to capture Rihanna, footballers David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, former American skier Lindsey Vonn, Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o, and even Justin Bieber, who waved the flag checkered at the finish.
“Everyone criticized Las Vegas but, ultimately, it was a great race,” said Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur.
The Italians have returned to four points behind Mercedes’ 2nd place (Hamilton 7th, Russell 8th) in the constructor standings.
At Asnton Matin, the Spaniard took 5th place Fernando Alonso while his Quebec teammate Lance Stroll finished 10th.
Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) was the victim of a spectacular accident on the 4th lap but was able to walk off the circuit.
