2025 Race 22 - Las Vegas

**Bagwan** · Yesterday, 15:48

I don't think anybody is going anywhere until they all see what the pecking order is after they sit in the new cars next year .
Leave all the toys in the pram for now .

The "chatter head" curse hit hard and helped Max here , and , with the "burger deal" curse already having killed Oscar's chance at the win , the end of the season is set up for a nail biter .

**F1nKS** · Yesterday, 17:43

Originally Posted by Nitrodaze

I wonder if McLaren has shot itself in the foot with the change in direction they have made to their car. It is slower and quite different from the car they started the season with. You could say the other teams have caught up rather than them being slower, but l doubt that. It would be ironic if they lose the driver's championship as a result.

If they get DSQ, my money would be on Verstappen to win the 2025 driver's championship. This is a demonstration of how to mess up a sure thing with meddling, don't you think?

They do indeed get DSQ. Max said they would need a miracle and some luck. He got the miracle.

1. Norris 390
2. Max 366
3. Piastri 366
4. Russell 294

**airshifter** · Today, 18:39

I'll be the first to admit I didn't have much hope for the Vegas track. But to date it had given us some good racing, and this past weekend was no exception.

Lando did well to qualify in front, but tossed it away by being aggressive off the line when really he had no need to do so. I understand he's trying to show his hand, but he should have been thinking long game. And let's face it, if anyone gets in his head some it seems to be Max. I appreciated Coulthard's comment after the first turn. "Lando Norris tried to play Max at his own game. The problem is he doesn't know the rules."

Between Lawson and Bortoleto both doing a little bowling, some drivers got lucky and others did not. Oscar was put on the back foot, while some towards the rear gained advantages. From there out most of the race stayed fairly clean, though Albon managed to screw it up against Lewis. But at least no major drama or red flags during the race.

I have to say that overall I really think a LOT of drivers, through the entire pack, had really solid races overall. George managed to work through whatever steering problems he had. Leclerc, Sainz, and Hadjar all stayed in the hunt towards the front, and both Lewis and Ocon made the best of things to stay up in the points. Kimi was an absolute monster with that long stint, and was fighting hard to make it work. He threw a spanner in a lot of races with that strategy, and made it work when he needed to.

Up front, I don't think Max really ever felt any pressure. From the first turn forward he seemed to have things well under control. Lando and Oscar did what they could, but TBH I don't think they had the pace advantage hey usually do. They had good races, but the team let them down in the end.

Lando should still have an easy run to the WDC. IF he just plays the long game. Even with the double DQ, he has a big enough lead to essentially play it safe and short of another DQ or some type of DNF life should be easy. He's come back towards year end and is headed towards beating Oscar and Max without any drama needed. But his poor start and the team issues are surely in his head. He just needs to clear that mess and get on with things.