It’s 21 races down, three to go in 2025 as Formula 1 returns to the neon of the Las Vegas Strip for the first of three consecutive race weekends that will decide the Drivers’ Championship.
What’s different in Vegas for 2025?
The 3.8-mile, 17-turn street circuit remains unchanged, including the 1.2-mile blast down Las Vegas Boulevard past landmarks such as The Venetian, the Bellagio fountains and the Paris Eiffel Tower. The event’s late-November slot — the week before Thanksgiving — has proved lucrative for the city: the 2023 inaugural meeting generated an estimated $1.5bn economic impact (including one‑off costs) and last year brought around $934m, already making it one of Vegas’ biggest annual events.
For 2025 the schedule is tweaked: qualifying and the Grand Prix start two hours earlier at 8pm local time (4am UK), bringing the race in line with Singapore’s established night-race timing and easing colder late‑evening conditions for teams and fans. F1 Academy joins the support bill; the all-female series concludes in Vegas with Doriane Pin and Maya Weug battling for the title. Promoters have expanded hospitality and fan offerings, released cheaper tickets earlier, and music acts such as Shaggy will perform across stages around the track.
Norris’ title to lose — or can Piastri respond?
Lando Norris heads into Vegas with a 24-point lead, gained after perfect weekends in Mexico City and Brazil. With three events left and 83 points available, that margin is useful but not unassailable. Were Oscar Piastri to win in Vegas while Norris failed to score, Piastri would retake the lead by a point heading to Qatar. Norris, however, looks to be in strong form and has avoided recent mistakes; Martin Brundle described his current run as an “overdrive” when it matters most.
Piastri, conversely, has endured a five-race podium drought at the worst possible point in the season and needs both a quick turnaround in form and a more competitive showing from McLaren on a circuit where they have yet to finish higher than sixth across two previous outings. Norris doesn’t necessarily need to win again over the final three events to secure the title, but another strong Vegas weekend would put him firmly on track for a potential early clinch in Qatar.
Can Verstappen stay in it?
Max Verstappen remains in mathematical contention but faces an uphill task. At 49 points behind, he needs an extraordinary late surge — the recovery that saw him win in Monza, Baku and Austin was halted by Norris’ recent response. Verstappen’s comeback to the podium from the pit lane in Sao Paulo underlines his threat: a top‑two finish in Vegas would keep him in the maths regardless of Norris’ result. Still, if Norris outscores Verstappen by nine points or more in Qatar, the title fight would effectively become a two‑way contest between the McLaren teammates.
Ferrari: Elkann’s intervention and what comes next
Ferrari arrive in Vegas in an unfamiliar fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, their struggles spotlighted by chairman John Elkann after the team’s double DNF in Sao Paulo. Speaking at a Milan event for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Elkann urged drivers to “focus on driving and talk less” and said some non-technical areas of the team were “not up to standard,” while not ruling out a recovery to reclaim second from Mercedes across the final rounds.
The Scuderia sit four points behind third-placed Red Bull and 36 behind Mercedes. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton posted social-media messages reaffirming their commitment to the team after Elkann’s remarks; media day in Vegas will be the first in-person chance to hear their response. Expect the pair to face questions about internal standards, accountability and the strategy to salvage the season.
The big picture
Las Vegas offers spectacle and stakes: a tried circuit and improved fan experience, a slightly earlier night-race clock, and a support line-up that includes F1 Academy. On track, Norris leads but must avoid errors; Piastri needs a much-improved run and better McLaren performance; Verstappen requires near-miracles to overhaul the deficit. Ferrari must answer for recent form under the glare of their chairman’s public intervention. The title fight intensifies as F1 heads into the decisive final three weekends, starting under the lights on the Las Vegas Strip.