F1 news LIVE: Las Vegas GP reaction as champion Max Verstappen speaks about Red Bull future
F1 news after the Vegas GP as Verstappen claimed his fourth straight world championship
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Your support makes all the difference.Max Verstappen was crowned F1 World Champion for the fourth time as the Dutchman finished above title rival Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver won his fourth straight title with two races to spare, as Norris can no longer catch Verstappen in the standings after he could only finish sixth.
Verstappen, meanwhile, finished fifth behind the Mercedes pair of George Russell, who won from pole, and Lewis Hamilton. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished third and second for Ferrari.
The 27-year-old has eight race wins this season, including a dominant run at the start of the year, but Norris closed the gap over the second half of the campaign. However, Verstappen delivered a crucial win in Brazil last week and produced another stellar drive in Las Vegas to retain the world title.
Michael Buffer and brother Bruce to introduce F1 stars at Las Vegas Grand Prix
Michael Buffer and his brother Bruce will join forces to introduce Formula One’s stars for Saturday’s celebrity-fuelled Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Michael, famous for his ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ phrase, was hired by F1 bosses ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin in 2017.
Bruce, known for yelling ‘It’s Time’, announced the grid’s drivers prior to last year’s event on the Strip.
Driver Standings ahead of Las Vegas:
1. Max Verstappen - 393 points
2. Lando Norris - 331 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 307 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 262 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 244 points
6. George Russell - 192 points
7. Lewis Hamilton - 190 points
8. Sergio Perez - 151 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 62 points
10. Nico Hulkenberg - 31 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda - 28 points
12. Pierre Gasly - 26 points
13. Lance Stroll - 24 points
14. Esteban Ocon - 23 points
15. Kevin Magnussen - 14 points
16. Alex Albon - 12 points
17. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
18. Ollie Bearman - 7 points
19. Franco Colapinto - 5 points
20. Liam Lawson - 4 points
21. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
22. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
23. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Mick Schumacher breaks silence after missing out on F1 return in 2025
“Life doesn’t always go as planned, and setbacks can be tough to face,’ Schumacher wrote on Instagram.
‘But every challenge is a chance to learn, grow, and come back even stronger. This is just a chapter, not the whole story.
‘The journey continues, and I’m determined to rise above it. Thank you for your support, it means the world.’
Schumacher has not yet been confirmed as a Mercedes reserve again next year as he assesses his next steps.
F1 in talks over 11th team for 2026 season after Andretti rejection
Formula One is reportedly in talks with General Motors about an 11th team joining the grid in 2026.
F1 rejected Andretti’s bid in partnership with GM earlier this year, but did say a new offer for 2028 would be considered.
Yet Sky Sports News understands that, with former boss Michael Andretti out of the picture, a GM entry led by businessman Dan Towriss - the majority shareholder of Andretti Global - is being considered for an entry into the sport as early as 2026.
F1 in talks over 11th team for 2026 season after Andretti rejection
Andretti had their bid turned down earlier this year but General Motors are still interested
Pierre Gasly after qualifying P3 in Las Vegas:
“It’s unbelievable. We didn’t think we would achieve a top three in qualifying.
“But it was an incredible lap, especially around this track where you are flirting with the walls everywhere. A lot of adrenaline and excitement.
“I knew crossing the line it was a good lap. When they came up on the radio, we were third – it’s just amazing.”
Lewis Hamilton admits he wanted to leave Mercedes F1 early
Lewis Hamilton admits he did want to leave Mercedes in the immediate aftermath of a torrid Brazilian Grand Prix.
Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton, who is leaving Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the season, finished 10th in Sao Paulo and endured a disastrous weekend despite his favoured wet conditions.
On his team radio straight after the race, the 39-year-old mysteriously hinted that Interlagos could be his last race for the team and, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton insists his reaction was only “natural.”
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton admits he wanted to leave Mercedes early
Ferrari-bound Hamilton was despondent after a torrid weekend last time out in Brazil
How can Max Verstappen win the 2024 title?
There are now just 86 points available across the next three races in Vegas, Qatar (including the final sprint race of the season) and Abu Dhabi.
By the end of the weekend in Vegas, there will be just 60 points left to claim.
That means that if Verstappen simply finishes above Norris in Vegas, he will be crowned the 2024 champion.
The Dutchman would also seal the title if both drivers fail to score a point.
Verstappen will also win the 2024 title if Norris does not outscore the Red Bull driver by more than two points.
Constructors’ Championship ahead of Las Vegas:
1. McLaren - 593 points
2. Ferrari - 557 points
3. Red Bull Racing - 544 points
4. Mercedes - 382 points
5. Aston Martin - 86 points
6. Alpine - 49 points
7. Haas - 46 points
8. RB - 44 points
8. Williams - 17 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
QUALIFYING REPORT: George Russell on pole for F1 Las Vegas GP with shock top-three in qualifying
George Russell put his Mercedes on pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix as team-mate Lewis Hamilton faltered to qualify only 10th.
As Russell saw off Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by just 0.098 seconds to land top spot in Sin City, Hamilton was left to rue two mistakes which leaves him way down the order.
Pierre Gasly took a surprise third for Alpine, one place ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Lando Norris must outscore Max Verstappen by at least three points to extend the title battle to the penultimate race in Qatar, but the British driver will start one place behind the Dutchman in sixth.
Full report below:
George Russell on pole for Las Vegas GP with shock top-three in qualifying
Russell saw off Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by just 0.098 seconds to land top spot in Sin City
F1 star interrogated at US border before Las Vegas GP: ‘I was wearing pyjamas’
Formula One driver Yuki Tsunoda was interrogated by US border control officials before being allowed into the United States ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Japanese driver Tsunoda, who has raced in F1 since 2021, says he was travelling with his physio but progressed through immigration on his own.
The 24-year-old was then questioned for several hours, despite having the correct paperwork, before being allowed to enter the country. Tsunoda had flown in ahead of his RB team for a promotional event.
Full quotes below:
F1 star interrogated at US border before Las Vegas GP: ‘I was wearing pyjamas’
Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda says he ‘nearly got sent back home’ before being let into the United States
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