Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: RUDY CAREZZEVOLI / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP 09:40 a.m., November 19, 2023
Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), critic of the show surrounding Formula 1's return to Las Vegas, won on Saturday for the 18th time this season, at the end of a Grand Prix full of twists and turns.Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), already assured of a third world championship title, won the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night, his 18th victory in 21 races this season. For F1's return to the city of the game, 41 years after the Caesars Palace Grand Prix, Verstappen finished ahead of Charles Leclerc's Ferrari and Sergio Perez's second Red Bull, who will be runner-up in the world championship at the end of the season.
>> ALSO READ – Netflix creates a sports competition that pits golfers and F1 drivers against each other
Esteban Ocon takes fourth place
Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine) took 4th place. Starting from pole position, Leclerc was overtaken at the first corner by Verstappen thanks to an illegal manoeuvre, which was sanctioned with a 5-second stop later by the stewards. Leclerc regained the lead on lap 16 (out of 50), but finally lost to the Dutchman on lap 37.
"Viva Las Vegas," Verstappen chanted over his radio after crossing the line under the checkered flag held by Justin Bieber. However, the Dutchman was widely criticised for the holding of the race in the city of the game during the week, deploring the quality of the circuit and the place of the show in relation to the sporting aspect. In the constructors' standings, Ferrari closed to within four points of Mercedes for second place behind title-winning Red Bull ahead of next week's 2nd and final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi.