Las Vegas GP Race Report

As the drivers were introduced individually onto the truck to be driven around the track, you got a sense of what the weather was like.  The gusting winds blew hair about and all the drivers were in the thickest of team coats.  

The grid was absolutely rammed before the formation lap but no celebrities for Martin Brundle to chat to until he hit gold with Sly Stallone.  Then the anthem was performed by Boyz II Men.  More man than boy now, the harmonies lasted well into the night.

Colapinto would be starting from the pit lane, which should have seen him clear of any first corner incident.  Against all predictions, Russell made a great start and everyone was safe through even though they were four a breast in some places.  LeClerc held a good line and jumped Gasly and Sainz for second place.  Vestappen and Norris remained in 5th and 6th.

After ten laps a few drivers had swapped places.  Verstappen had made his way up to 3rd position with Norris sufficiently far behind to lose the championship.  Alonso had already pitted and LeClerc and Norris were called into the pits.  They were followed by several other drivers including Piastri who had to serve a penalty for a false start.

Gasly had done so well to stay with the leaders in the race but then he was frantically messaging the team and being reassured by them.  He was right though, his engine blew.  Let's hope with all the celebrity investment, it's a better car for him next season.  And we can say that with true hope as Ocon wouldn't also benefit.  Further down the track, there were further woes with Albon also having to retire.

Verstappen drove to defend his championship lead and hopefully hold it and take it.  He radioed his team to see if he should defend to the two Ferraris as he was sitting in 3rd.  With Norris in 6th, he could take it easy but his team suggested he had better try to hold them off.  With a couple of laps to go, both red cars were past him and the positions were back where we had started with Verstappen in 5th and potentially world champion and Norris in 6th.

There were many great drives in this race.  Russell drove flawlessly to win from start to finish, massively overshadowed by Verstappen taking the championship.  Hamilton came from 10th to finish 2nd.  Tsunoda was quietly 9th.  Colapinto recovered from his big crash in Qualifying to finish 13th having started from the pit lane.  There were no complaints about the weather or the tyres graining too much.

Verstappen was crying inside his helmet, you'd think he could cope better with this after so much practice now.  Russell whooped and cheered.  Hamilton was Driver of the Day; no points for it though.  The Ferrari drivers were not happy and LeClerc let off a torrent of abuse at his team over the radio.

None of the drivers put on their seat belts in the back of the Rolls Royces that drove them to the podium.  The whole routine was painful as they were taken around. The interviews were well-delivered and then it went on.  It's one small area Vegas needs to improve on.  With two more races to go, some drivers will want to be having fun and others will have to focus on getting the Constructor's Championship secured.