F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix LIVE: Race results as Max Verstappen wins in Sin City

Beyond all the hype and razzle-dazzle beaming from all corners of this bright-light epicentre in the middle of the Nevada desert, what Formula 1 needed from their new flagship event on the Las Vegas strip was an entertaining race. Especially after starting on such unimpressive footing a few nights ago. And contrary to many of the processions in this one-sided season, the entertainment capital of the world did deliver on Saturday night. Don’t be fooled though: the top-spot of the podium was no surprise.

It has got to the stage now where Max Verstappen is simply inevitable. In this breed of Red Bull car, he remains lightyears ahead of the other 19 drivers behind him. On Saturday night – on a circuit he described as “National League” standard after qualifying – he was hit with a five-second penalty. Then he, unusually, spurned his first set of tyres as pole-sitter Charles Leclerc retook the lead. The Dutchman then collided with George Russell in the midfield.

Yet no circumstance is too damaging to recover from and, by lap 36 of 50, Verstappen was in the lead and clear. “Viva Las Vegas!” he screeched over team radio at the end, his mood unsurprisingly glowing following an 18^th victory of the season.

Much has been made of the hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas this week.

The detractors saying that race week was more for show than seriousness while others welcomed the change to the calender and the experience of witnessing a race held on a new circuit.

“It was a lot of fun out there,” said Max Verstappen after securing his record-extending 18th victory of the season. Verstappen, was one of the most vocal critics about Vegas this week but praised the crowd after his win.

“A great crowd,” he said, “I hope everyone enjoyed it, we definitely did. Excited to come back here next year and try to do something similar.”

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner said Verstappen relished the experience adding: “I think he changed his mind about Vegas.”

Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton praised the track after moving from P10 to P7 during the Grand Prix.

“Lots of great overtaking opportunities,” Hamilton said, “And I think for all those who were so negative about the weekend, saying it was all about show blah blah blah, I think Vegas proved them wrong.”

Second-place finisher Charles Leclerc was also happy with the race saying: “There was no better race to be the first race in Vegas.

“The energy around the city is incredible and I’m just really, really happy. I really enjoyed today.”

The setting is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: home to the world-famous Indy 500 race. Ahead of the 2005 United States Grand Prix, at a circuit modified for Formula 1, ITV pundit and former F1 driver Martin Brundle is interviewing the sport’s long-term supremo and commander-in-chief Bernie Ecclestone on the grid. And you may well say, nothing unusual about that.

What is more unusual is Brundle’s direct, bordering on combative, line of questioning. A huddle of camera crew and journalists huddle around, eager for answers. Because F1’s only race in the land of the free is about to become a farce. Out of 20 cars, only six take to the start line. For the sport and its tempestuous 55-year relationship with the US, it is the ultimate moment of absurdity. “The future of Formula 1 in America?” asks Brundle. “Not good,” Ecclestone replies.

It is a far cry from where the sport is stateside now. Formula 1 is pushing boundaries and breaking the glass ceiling in a manner which would be unambiguously imposing if it wasn’t in the United States. There are now three races, with this week’s grand prix on the Las Vegas strip following on from a highly successful rebirth of the US Grand Prix in Austin and a street track in Miami.

Pierre Gasly spoke about his race in Las Vegas and the issues he faced which meant he slipped out of the points to finish P11. He said:

Sky Sports Formula 1 pundit, Jensen Button, was full of praise for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Today’s race was the first to take place on the strip and Max Verstappen went on to win.

Here’s what Button had to say:

Singer Kylie Minogue is making the most out of her Las Vegas residency, as she was spotted enjoying the F1 Grand Prix on Sunday (18 November).

Minogue, 55, was spotted trackside by Sky Sports F1 presenter Martin Brundle, who rushed over to speak to the singer ahead of the main race on Sunday.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz evaluated his race in the immediate aftermath to the Las Vegas Grand Prix. It was an up-and-down weekend for the Spaniard but he’ll be pleased with the final result.

Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was fantastic in Las Vegas, driving his way up through the pack from 19th to finish 5th.

At certain stages he was challenging Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez for the lead before slipping back as Max Verstappen and George Russell rediscovered their pace towards the end of the race.

Despite undergoing a race that saw him drop to last place at one point then fight back for a P7 finish, Lewis Hamilton says he enjoyed the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Here’s his full post race reaction: