Max Verstappen could wrap up the world championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend. Most simply, he will seal the title if he finishes ahead of McLaren driver Lando Norris.
Naturally, there are more complex permutations too. Norris must outscore Verstappen by three or more points to take the fight to Qatar, which means he can’t afford to finish any lower than eighth.
That shouldn’t be a problem for the Briton, who’s finished in the top six at the last nine Grands Prix stretching back to his DNF in Australia. McLaren and Ferrari are expected to battle for victory, with Red Bull behind them once again.
Verstappen knows his epic Brazil victory doesn’t mean the team have cured their ills. In the torrential rain, his unique talents came to the fore, but in dry conditions, they still await a breakthrough.
Just like last year, the sessions in Vegas will be some of the coldest ever. And perhaps Red Bull will spy another opportunity if they can fire up their tyres.
Verstappen won this race last year, recovering from a time penalty and a collision with George Russell to pass Charles Leclerc. Norris crashed out on lap three, and a repeat this time would be fatal to any lingering championship hopes.
Max Verstappen winning F1 title at Las Vegas Grand Prix would be more ‘commercially interesting’
Verstappen only needs another 24 points to guarantee the title, regardless of Norris’ results. He’s finished behind the McLaren in five of the last seven races, though, so it’s certainly in the balance for this weekend.
But if he doesn’t receive mathematical confirmation in Nevada, it’s highly likely it will arrive after the Qatar Sprint race. Verstappen tied up the 2023 crown at the same event.
However, F1’s commercial rights holders Liberty Media want to avoid that ‘soulless’ outcome. Of course, there’s nothing they can or would do to influence it, but they think it would make for a better spectacle.
That’s according to Motorsport Netherlands journalist Ronald Vording. He pointed out that the Las Vegas GP is unique because Liberty are also the promoters, increasing their stake.
“It has not been a question for a long time now whether Max will become champion, only when,” Vording said. “There is quite a lot involved in making that happen here.
“This is interesting for the people – this race is the only Grand Prix on the whole calendar where Formula 1, namely Liberty Media, is the promoter. Commercially, it is much more interesting to see Max become world champion here, than, for example, during a Sprint race in Qatar, which was a little bit soulless last year in terms of atmosphere and experience.”
Lando Norris’ comments on F1 title race will raise eyebrows
Norris has virtually conceded defeat in the title race at this point, and understandably so. But he can use the three remaining rounds to create a platform for 2025.
This year, much of the damage was done in the opening races, where Verstappen won four from five in a car that remained dominant. But at the start of next season, McLaren should be able to compete from the outset.
Just under a decade ago, Nico Rosberg won the last three Grands Prix after Lewis Hamilton clinched the title. Many see that as the effective beginning of his championship year in 2016.
Norris has ‘realised’ he must emulate Rosberg. He also believes that Verstappen put his rivals in an ‘impossible’ position with his early run, a comment that is likely to raise eyebrows given the number of points he and McLaren have left on the table since.
Leave feedback about this