In the third last GP of the 2024 Formula 1 Season, championship contenders face off in a crucial race. Max Verstappen has the opportunity to solidify his near-certain lead in the championship standings during this race, but he remains closely pursued by both Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Read all about it in this article.
GP Las Vegas
The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas was first held in 1981. The following year, the race returned to the Caesars Palace Grand Prix Circuit in Las Vegas. However, it then disappeared from the F1 calendar for decades. Last year, the iconic race returned to Sin City, marking the 1,100th race in Formula 1 history. Max Verstappen celebrated his 53rd GP win here, though he still has a long way to go to match the records of Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, who each have over 90 GP wins and seven world championships.
Last year’s Las Vegas GP was the first after a 41-year hiatus. On the Las Vegas Street Circuit, Max Verstappen claimed victory in what was a chaotic race. Early on, Verstappen received a five-second time penalty but managed to build a lead until Lando Norris suffered a severe crash in the third lap. This allowed Charles Leclerc to overtake the Dutchman. Despite further setbacks, Verstappen managed to overtake key competitors, including Sergio Perez and Leclerc, to secure the win.
Several changes have been made this year compared to the previous edition. This year’s race will be less disruptive for local residents, a major point of contention last year. The construction phase for the circuit has been shortened significantly, from 270 days to just 90. Local businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, are also pleased with the adjustments. Last year, many reservations were canceled due to the race, but this year, initiatives have been introduced to support these businesses.
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Max Verstappen, fresh off a spectacular victory in the Brazilian GP earlier this month, is well on his way to claiming his fourth world title. The Dutchman currently holds a 62-point lead over Lando Norris with only three races remaining. That lead could have been even greater had Red Bull maintained its dominance during the summer. At that time, Norris and McLaren were faster, causing Red Bull to lose its first-place position in the constructors’ championship. A win in Las Vegas could secure Verstappen the drivers’ title, though not yet the constructors’ championship for Red Bull.
Currently leading the constructors’ standings is McLaren, with Lando Norris as its star driver. Norris sits second in the drivers’ championship and has emerged as a strong challenger to Verstappen this year, with three wins across the season and 12 podium finishes in total. His last victory came in late September, when he finished ahead of Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri. The rivalry between these two contenders has been palpable on the track, leading to Verstappen receiving two time penalties in the Mexican GP.
The third championship contender is Charles Leclerc. Although his chances are slimmer, he still has a shot at the title if he performs exceptionally well in the final three races. After a less impressive 2023 season, Leclerc has become the focal point of Ferrari’s 2024 campaign. With wins in Monaco, Austin, and Monza, he remains a formidable presence in the standings. Ferrari’s resurgence has also propelled the team to second place in the constructors’ championship.
Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz complete the top five in the standings. While neither has a shot at the world title, both are capable of strong performances in Las Vegas. Piastri, representing McLaren, claimed victories in Hungary and Azerbaijan, while Ferrari’s Sainz secured wins in Australia and the recent Mexican GP.
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