VERSTAPPEN WINS IN LAS VEGAS, DOUBLE PODIUM FOR MERCEDES. BOTH MCLARENS DISQUALIFIED

/in /by

Max Verstappen reopens the fight for the title, helped by the double disqualification of both McLarens due to technical irregularities. Double podium for Mercedes, now increasingly close to securing second place in the constructors’ championship. Ferrari still collects points and narrowly misses the podium with Leclerc. Important points also for Carlos Sainz and Hadjar, with both teams battling for fifth place in the constructors’ standings.

GIOVANNI’S COMMENTARY
At Red Bull, Max Verstappen continues to fly. After dispatching Lando Norris with ease, the Dutchman dominated the race and brought home the victory. Tsunoda remains anonymous, effectively preventing the Anglo-Austrian team from fighting for the constructors’ championship.

Mercedes secures a double podium, helped by the McLaren disqualifications. A great race from Antonelli after a lackluster qualifying. His second consecutive podium—after Brazil—and another strong performance. Russell is always ready and grabs an important podium. Mercedes is getting ever closer to securing second place in the constructors’ standings.

McLaren disastrous. Piastri still can’t find the right performance, and Norris is not up to the level shown in recent races. The team, however, is responsible for the complete disaster that reopens the drivers’ championship. The double disqualification gives Verstappen the chance to fight until the end, with 58 points still available, considering the Qatar sprint.

Ferrari still not living up to their name. The Maranello team collects important points but still cannot fight for anything significant. Morale within the team seems very low, and it will be crucial ahead of 2026 to restore harmony within the squad.

Sainz picks up more important points, outshining his teammate, who seems to be feeling the pressure from the Spaniard. The Anglo-Thai driver continues to make mistakes, crashing once again during qualifying.

Sauber scores points again thanks to the excellent work of Nico Hulkenberg. Bortoleto has been making many mistakes in recent races, compromising his results. The Brazilian needs to rediscover the solidity that has characterized him until now, seeking clarity and calm.

Ocon returns to the points, finishing in the top ten together with Bearman. Important points for the constructors’ championship, and Ocon finally bounces back after the blows taken in recent weeks.
Hadjar delivers another consistent points finish. Lawson, unlucky at the start with a broken wing, fails to recover. The Faenza team is slowly seeing light at the end of the tunnel after recent difficulties.

Aston Martin continues its inconsistent season. Stroll retires on the first lap, Alonso finishes just outside the points but never truly has the pace to be in the top ten. With an eye on 2026, it will be important to clarify the driver situation as well, especially given the Ferrari–Leclerc tension, with the Monegasque potentially joining the team in place of one of the two drivers.

Finally, Alpine remains once again anonymous, though slightly closer to the pack compared to previous races.

Author: Gabriele Bovio