F1: Winners and losers from the 2025 Las Vegas GP

Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix, narrowing the gap to championship leader Lando Norris to just 24 points after both McLarens were disqualified. 

Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens looks at the winners and losers of the race in Nevada as the Drivers’ Championship takes yet another unexpected turn. 

Winner: Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen won the race in Las Vegas at the first corner, sweeping past Lando Norris to gain first place after the McLaren ran wide.

His sixth victory of the season already looked like the Dutchman had maximised the weekend in his bid to close the gap in the Drivers’ Championship.

But more good fortune was to follow after the chequered flag, as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified due to excessive plank wear, leaving Verstappen level on points with Piastri and only 24 behind Norris. 

Loser: McLaren

Despite missing out on victory to Max Verstappen, Lando Norris appeared to have executed the perfect dose of damage limitation out in Vegas, his P2 finish looking set to keep him firmly on course to clinch the title next week in Qatar. 

But McLaren, never a team to shy away from making things complicated, had other plans. 

Both Norris and Oscar Piastri, who had crossed the line in fourth, were disqualified from the grand prix after the skid blocks on their cars were found to be less than the minimum depth allowed. 

Norris can still secure the title in Qatar if he outscores both his team-mate and Verstappen by two or more points, but the pressure on the Briton is now higher than ever.

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Winner: Andrea Kimi Antonelli 

Kimi Antonelli may have been the luckiest man in Sin City this weekend as he managed to clinch another podium, albeit with the help of the two McLarens losing their places, after a time penalty looked set to see him finish outside the top five.

The Italian was handed a five-second penalty for a starting infringement. Still, he was able to manage his tyres over 48 laps to finish five seconds clear of Charles Leclerc in P6, only losing fourth place to Oscar Piastri before the disqualification.

With George Russell ending up in second, Mercedes walked away with 33 points to keep them ahead of the rest for second in the Constructors’ standings, with Red Bull 40 points behind in third. 

Loser: Ferrari

P4 and P8 looked to be a solid result for the Scuderia after their dismal display in qualifying, yet both drivers still seemed to come out of the Vegas weekend feeling deflated.

Lewis Hamilton named the 2025 season his “worst season ever” and Charles Leclerc deemed the race one of his best performances but felt the outcome was frustrating after he failed to get past Antonelli in the dying stages.

With both of their main rivals in the battle for second in the Constructors’ Championship scoring more points, Ferrari’s hopes of finishing higher are slowly slipping further away.

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Winner: Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz made the most of a chaotic wet qualifying session to put his Williams in an impressive third on the grid.

Starting ahead of a Ferrari and a McLaren, the Spaniard knew the chances of ending the race on the podium were slim, but a strong points finish was well within reach. 

Sainz was rewarded for his efforts by finishing only four seconds behind Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and comfortably clear of Isack Hadjar, securing crucial points for Williams after Alex Albon was forced to retire.

Loser: Gabriel Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto arrived in Las Vegas hoping for a clean race after crashing twice last time out at the Interlagos circuit. 

Something which he had failed to carry out by the first corner, out-braking himself going into Turn 1 and colliding with Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin.

The last two weekends are certainly not a true reflection of the rookie’s otherwise impressive maiden F1 season, but they have proven that experience is always key.

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