Verstappen Wins Las Vegas GP as Norris Admits Mistake, Mercedes Shows Consistency

Max Verstappen crossed the finish line at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit with a commanding 20-second lead, sealing his seventh win of the 2025 season and sending shockwaves through the championship race — not because of a dramatic overtaking, but because his closest rival, Lando Norris, openly admitted he let him win. "I just braked too late. It was my f-up," Norris said at the post-race press conference on Sunday, November 23, 2025, in front of a crowd still buzzing from the neon-lit spectacle. The win wasn’t just another victory for Red Bull Racing; it was a statement. With two races left in the 24-race 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship, Verstappen’s team has closed a 49-point gap to the championship leader in just three races. And the man who made it happen? He’s not even celebrating yet.

"I Let Him Win" — The Honest Confession of a Rising Star

Norris, who finished second for the third time this season, didn’t try to spin it. He didn’t blame the car. He didn’t cite tire degradation or a poor start. He owned it. "I wanted to put on a show," he said, smiling despite the frustration. "That’s why we’re in Vegas, I guess." But the truth was simpler: he pushed too hard on lap 42 entering Turn 9, locked the rears, and lost momentum. Verstappen, who had been quietly building a gap since lap 20, didn’t need to attack — he just needed to stay clean. "When the guy wins by 20 seconds, it’s because he’s just done a better job," Norris added. "They’re a bit quicker. That’s it." It’s a stark contrast to the Norris of six months ago. At the start of 2025, he was lost — questioning his approach, his rhythm, even his confidence. After a string of top-10 finishes that felt like failures, he began experimenting. "I was just trying everything," he recalled during a Wednesday press conference. "Driving styles, brake bias, throttle mapping — I’d come out of qualifying and have no idea what to fix tomorrow." His 150th consecutive race start, reached just before this event, became a milestone not of longevity, but of resilience. "I’m almost happier I had a crappy beginning," he said. "It forced me to grow."

Red Bull’s Quiet Domination — And Why It’s Scary

Verstappen’s response to questions about closing the 49-point gap was dismissive. "I find it a really weird question," he said. "We’ve just done a good job the last few races." That’s the thing about Red Bull this year: they don’t scream. They don’t need to. Their car — the RB21 — has been the most consistent performer across varied circuits. From the high-speed straights of Monza to the bumpy streets of Las Vegas, it’s been fast, reliable, and perfectly tuned. While rivals scramble for last-minute upgrades, Red Bull’s engineers have been refining the same core package since pre-season testing. "The car has been good at some places, maybe not so good at others," Verstappen shrugged. "But that’s it." That humility is deceptive. In reality, Red Bull’s advantage isn’t just speed — it’s precision. Their pit stops averaged 2.1 seconds this weekend. Their tire management was textbook. Their strategy calls? Flawless.

Mercedes: The Silent Climbers

While the spotlight stayed on Verstappen and Norris, George Russell of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team quietly made a case for his team’s most significant achievement: consistency. "Last year, our car was either exceptional or terrible," Russell said. "This year? It’s just… steady. We’re not winning every race, but we’re scoring points every race. That’s how you win championships." That’s a lesson Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team learned the hard way. In 2024, they won three races but finished fourth in the constructors’ standings. This year, with 18 top-five finishes already, they’re on track to secure second place — their best result since 2020. Simone Resta, Mercedes’ Technical Director, confirmed the shift: "The project started a year and a half ago. We didn’t rush. We built for the long game."

The Vegas Machine: More Than Just a Race

The Formula 1 HEINEKEN Las Vegas Grand Prix isn’t just a race — it’s a year-round operation. Since November 2024, organizers have rolled out a string of community initiatives: the $100,000 Community Giveaway on July 11, the F1 Drive Karting Camp on July 8, and the Grand Prix Plaza’s sustainable certification on March 13. The plaza, located right on the Strip, now serves as a permanent F1 hub with fan experiences, driver meet-and-greets, and even educational exhibits for local schools. "This isn’t a pop-up event," said a spokesperson for the race organization. "We’re building a legacy."

Technical Tensions and the Low-Riding Problem

Behind the scenes, the FIA is wrestling with a growing concern: cars are running too low. Nikolay Tombasis, FIA’s Single-Seater Technical Director, admitted the current aerodynamic rules have unintentionally pushed teams to design cars that hug the track — sometimes dangerously so. "The natural direction still favors low-running cars," he said. "But not by the same amount as we thought." That means 2026’s regulations — already in development — will likely include floor height restrictions and revised diffuser rules. Teams like Red Bull and Mercedes, who’ve mastered the low-downforce game, could face new challenges. Others? They’ll have to scramble again.

What’s Next? Two Races, One Title

With Verstappen now leading the drivers’ standings by 42 points, the championship is slipping into his grasp. But with two races left — in Abu Dhabi and then… wait, no. Abu Dhabi is the final race. The penultimate is in Qatar, a track that favors high downforce. Red Bull has struggled there before. Norris, with his newfound confidence, could pounce. And if Mercedes can sneak into the top three? They might just spoil the party. The real story? It’s not about who wins. It’s about who adapts. Verstappen’s team has mastered consistency. Norris has mastered himself. And Mercedes? They’ve mastered patience.