The Las Vegas Grand Prix unfolded with unrelenting tension as Oscar Piastri’s title ambitions continued to erode under mounting pressure. Lando Norris, already leading the championship, extended his advantage with a commanding performance, while Max Verstappen seized early control of the race with a decisive lap-one maneuver. Piastri, beginning the day already disadvantaged by grid setbacks and tyre degradation concerns, struggled to regain momentum amid fierce mid-pack battles.
As the race progressed, Piastri’s frustrations intensified. Despite possessing significantly fresher tyres than rookie Kimi Antonelli, he failed to secure the necessary pace to overtake, repeatedly slipping out of DRS range. Analysts speculated that subtle performance issues may have plagued his McLaren for months, especially as Norris’s car demonstrated far superior stability on low-grip circuits. Meanwhile, Antonelli’s audacious attempt to complete nearly the entire race on hard tyres further impeded Piastri’s progress.
The contest was also marked by chaotic moments, including a near-catastrophic incident involving race marshals who narrowly escaped being struck due to a severe communication breakdown with race control. Earlier, Norris sabotaged his own start with an overly aggressive defensive maneuver, allowing Verstappen and George Russell to surge ahead. Piastri’s race worsened when he collided with Liam Lawson on the opening lap, sustaining potential damage and falling behind.
Strategic decisions became critical as drivers weighed the viability of a one-stop race. Piastri’s undercut attempts briefly yielded gains, but tyre wear and inconsistent pace ultimately blunted his climb through the field. Verstappen, meanwhile, executed a tactically flawless race to secure his 69th career victory, while Norris nursed a late fuel scare to finish second and strengthen his championship command.
By the chequered flag, Piastri’s sixth consecutive race without a podium symbolized a stark decline in form at the season’s most pivotal moment. With Norris’s lead swelling to 30 points and Verstappen closing in, Piastri’s championship prospects now appear perilously faint. Observers, including former champion Jenson Button, underscored that without an aggressive resurgence in the remaining two races, Piastri’s title bid is effectively extinguished.
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