The Las Vegas Grand Prix: A Night of High Speeds and Unexpected Turns

The Las Vegas Grand Prix delivered a thrilling race with Max Verstappen taking the win, but the night took an unexpected turn when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified.

Race Highlights

• Cars zoomed down the Strip at over 215 mph, making it a spectacle.
• Norris and Piastri, who finished second and fourth, were disqualified due to illegal plank wear.
• Norris now leads the championship by just 24 points over Piastri and Verstappen.

The Disqualification

• The skid blocks under the cars must be at least 9 mm thick after the race.
• This rare but significant penalty shakes up the championship standings with only two races left.

Race Recap

• Norris started in pole position but lost two spots at the first turn.
• Verstappen and George Russell overtook him.
• Norris passed Russell but couldn't close the gap to Verstappen, who secured the victory.

Championship Implications

• Norris, who had been leading, now faces a tighter battle.
• Piastri is now level with Verstappen in the standings.
• The upcoming races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will be crucial.

Economic and Social Impact

• The event generated $934 million last year, with similar expectations this year.
• Celebrities like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Ben Affleck added glamour to the weekend.

Off-Track Drama

• Friday qualifying was chaotic due to rain, making the track treacherous.
• Internal team drama among McLaren and Ferrari added to the intrigue.