Fernando Alonso: The car had no pace in the race.
Fernando Alonso started seventh in Las Vegas, but the car lacked the pace to stay in the top ten, the Aston Martin driver said after the finish. His teammate Lance Stroll retired at the start when Gabriel Bortoleto collided with him in the first corner.
Fernando Alonso (13th): "A tough race in which the car had no pace. But we knew in advance that it would be difficult to score points on a dry track. Also, I lacked straight-line speed, so attacking and defending was hard. In any case, next week in Qatar we'll try to do everything we can. I hope we will fight for points."
Lance Stroll (retired): "Unfortunately I was taken out at the start of the race, so for me it was over in the first corner. That's racing — it sometimes happens. It's an unpleasant incident for Gabriel and for me, but he didn't do it on purpose, he's a good guy.
Fernando Alonso started seventh in Las Vegas, but the car lacked the pace to stay in the top ten, the Aston Martin driver said after the finish. His teammate Lance Stroll retired at the start when Gabriel Bortoleto collided with him in the first corner.
Fernando Alonso (13th): "A tough race in which the car had no pace. But we knew in advance that it would be difficult to score points on a dry track. Also, I lacked straight-line speed, so attacking and defending was hard. In any case, next week in Qatar we'll try to do everything we can. I hope we will fight for points."
Lance Stroll (retired): "Unfortunately I was taken out at the start of the race, so for me it was over in the first corner. That's racing — it sometimes happens. It's an unpleasant incident for Gabriel and for me, but he didn't do it on purpose, he's a good guy.
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After the Las Vegas Grand Prix finished, it emerged that the cars of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri did not comply with the technical regulations. The technical inspection of the McLaren cars found that the skid plank under the floor was worn beyond the permitted limit and did not meet the requirements. According to the technical regulations, the minimum permitted thickness of the skid plank along its entire length is 9 mm, and on Norris's and Piastri's cars it is less. The breach has been referred to the stewards for consideration; both McLaren drivers face disqualification.
Pierre Gasly: Not the best day for us
Both Alpine drivers were involved in start-line incidents and scored no points in Las Vegas…
Pierre Gasly (15th): "For me the race was effectively over a few hundred metres after the start. It's a real shame we couldn't show our potential. Bortolotto was too optimistic on the entry to turn one, he collided with Stroll, who spun me around, damaging the rear of my car.
Not the best day for us, it's a pity we couldn't score points for the team – the car had been quick all weekend, it would be interesting to see what results we could have achieved. We were quick on both the wet and the dry track, I was confident I could score points.
Now we'll focus on Qatar, where the conditions will be completely different to Vegas. There are still two races left, we'll fight to the end.
Both Alpine drivers were involved in start-line incidents and scored no points in Las Vegas…
Pierre Gasly (15th): "For me the race was effectively over a few hundred metres after the start. It's a real shame we couldn't show our potential. Bortolotto was too optimistic on the entry to turn one, he collided with Stroll, who spun me around, damaging the rear of my car.
Not the best day for us, it's a pity we couldn't score points for the team – the car had been quick all weekend, it would be interesting to see what results we could have achieved. We were quick on both the wet and the dry track, I was confident I could score points.
Now we'll focus on Qatar, where the conditions will be completely different to Vegas. There are still two races left, we'll fight to the end.
Hajar: The team had the best weekend of the year in Las Vegas.
Isack Hadjar finished eighth in Las Vegas, which allowed Racing Bulls to extend their lead over Aston Martin by another four points in the battle for sixth place in the Constructors' Championship. His teammate Liam Lawson finished the race in sixteenth place.
Isack Hadjar (8th): "I'm happy with today's race – we did everything we could. Before the start we had a lot of questions, since in practice we didn't get to work on long runs. Perhaps we were too conservative with the tyres because we expected more severe graining, but in the end we could have attacked at full strength throughout the race.
I'm proud of the team for the work done in Vegas and I believe we had the best weekend of the year. From the first practice session we didn't make a single mistake and did everything that was necessary. Four points is a nice reward.
Isack Hadjar finished eighth in Las Vegas, which allowed Racing Bulls to extend their lead over Aston Martin by another four points in the battle for sixth place in the Constructors' Championship. His teammate Liam Lawson finished the race in sixteenth place.
Isack Hadjar (8th): "I'm happy with today's race – we did everything we could. Before the start we had a lot of questions, since in practice we didn't get to work on long runs. Perhaps we were too conservative with the tyres because we expected more severe graining, but in the end we could have attacked at full strength throughout the race.
I'm proud of the team for the work done in Vegas and I believe we had the best weekend of the year. From the first practice session we didn't make a single mistake and did everything that was necessary. Four points is a nice reward.
Isola: The decisive factor was the condition of the track.
Pirelli are satisfied with the performance of the tyres in Las Vegas – last year, because of graining, drivers had to make two pit stops, whereas this time almost everyone was limited to one…
Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport director: “The night race in Las Vegas went exactly as expected. Drivers completed the distance on Medium and Hard tyres with a single pit stop. Slight graining was observed only on a few cars and mainly on the front axle.
The decisive factor was the condition of the track – on race day the surface was much cleaner than on Friday. Last year, at a similar temperature, drivers were forced to make two pit stops precisely because of graining, but this year, even without particularly conserving tyre life, they were able to comfortably increase stint lengths.
Pirelli are satisfied with the performance of the tyres in Las Vegas – last year, because of graining, drivers had to make two pit stops, whereas this time almost everyone was limited to one…
Mario Isola, Pirelli’s motorsport director: “The night race in Las Vegas went exactly as expected. Drivers completed the distance on Medium and Hard tyres with a single pit stop. Slight graining was observed only on a few cars and mainly on the front axle.
The decisive factor was the condition of the track – on race day the surface was much cleaner than on Friday. Last year, at a similar temperature, drivers were forced to make two pit stops precisely because of graining, but this year, even without particularly conserving tyre life, they were able to comfortably increase stint lengths.
Hülkenberg: The team did an excellent job.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was the fourth consecutive race in which the Sauber team scored points. Nico Hülkenberg, starting 11th, had a very decent race and finished ninth, completing the distance with a single pit stop.
But Gabriel Bortoleto was unlucky again at the very start of the race: as in Brazil, he could not avoid contact with Lance Stroll's Aston Martin, and this time the Sauber driver was found to be at fault for the incident at turn 1 and was penalized for it. He will drop five places on the grid for the Qatar Grand Prix and will also receive two penalty points on his super licence.
Jonathan Wheatley, team principal: "It was another weekend with mixed results for our team. Before the start we decided to run the race with a single pit stop and to do the first stint on hard tyres — we also had a contingency plan in case problems arose due to tyre degradation.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was the fourth consecutive race in which the Sauber team scored points. Nico Hülkenberg, starting 11th, had a very decent race and finished ninth, completing the distance with a single pit stop.
But Gabriel Bortoleto was unlucky again at the very start of the race: as in Brazil, he could not avoid contact with Lance Stroll's Aston Martin, and this time the Sauber driver was found to be at fault for the incident at turn 1 and was penalized for it. He will drop five places on the grid for the Qatar Grand Prix and will also receive two penalty points on his super licence.
Jonathan Wheatley, team principal: "It was another weekend with mixed results for our team. Before the start we decided to run the race with a single pit stop and to do the first stint on hard tyres — we also had a contingency plan in case problems arose due to tyre degradation.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been disqualified.
The stewards of the Las Vegas Grand Prix disqualified McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for their cars' non-compliance with the technical regulations. A post-race technical inspection found that the thickness of the reference plank under the McLaren cars' floors was less than the permitted 9 mm. Measurements of the plank on Piastri's car showed a thickness of 8.96 mm at the front left, 8.74 mm at the front right and 8.90 mm at the rear right. Similar measurements on Norris's car showed the plank thickness as 8.88 mm at the front right and 8.93 mm at the rear right. The measurement instrument's error is 0.001 mm.
The stewards of the Las Vegas Grand Prix disqualified McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for their cars' non-compliance with the technical regulations. A post-race technical inspection found that the thickness of the reference plank under the McLaren cars' floors was less than the permitted 9 mm. Measurements of the plank on Piastri's car showed a thickness of 8.96 mm at the front left, 8.74 mm at the front right and 8.90 mm at the rear right. Similar measurements on Norris's car showed the plank thickness as 8.88 mm at the front right and 8.93 mm at the rear right. The measurement instrument's error is 0.001 mm.
The stewards explained the disqualification of the McLaren drivers.
A few hours after the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix the stewards disqualified Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for their cars' non-compliance with the technical regulations. In the published decisions, which were identical for Norris and Piastri except for the plank wear figures, the stewards explained their reasoning and why they did not accept McLaren's explanations for the increased wear.
"The skid plank measured on the car bearing number 4 [and number 81 – ed.] showed a thickness of less than the 9 mm prescribed in paragraph 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations," the Las Vegas Grand Prix stewards' decision states. "Measurements showed a thickness of 8.88 mm at the front right [8.96 mm at the front left, 8.74 mm at the front right for Piastri] and 8.93 mm at the rear right [8.90 mm at the rear right for Piastri].
A few hours after the finish of the Las Vegas Grand Prix the stewards disqualified Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for their cars' non-compliance with the technical regulations. In the published decisions, which were identical for Norris and Piastri except for the plank wear figures, the stewards explained their reasoning and why they did not accept McLaren's explanations for the increased wear.
"The skid plank measured on the car bearing number 4 [and number 81 – ed.] showed a thickness of less than the 9 mm prescribed in paragraph 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations," the Las Vegas Grand Prix stewards' decision states. "Measurements showed a thickness of 8.88 mm at the front right [8.96 mm at the front left, 8.74 mm at the front right for Piastri] and 8.93 mm at the rear right [8.90 mm at the rear right for Piastri].
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McLaren apologized to its drivers.
After the FIA's official documents on the disqualification of both McLaren cars were made public, the team issued a statement in which its management also apologized to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Andrea Stella, team principal: "After the Las Vegas Grand Prix it became clear that we breached Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations, which requires the skid plank thickness to be at least 9 mm. On car No. 4, at the rearmost part of the skid plank it measured 0.12 mm below that minimum, and on car No. 81 it was 0.26 mm below.
During the race both cars experienced unexpectedly intense vertical oscillation (porpoising), which did not appear during practice, and this caused excessively strong contacts with the track surface.
After the FIA's official documents on the disqualification of both McLaren cars were made public, the team issued a statement in which its management also apologized to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Andrea Stella, team principal: "After the Las Vegas Grand Prix it became clear that we breached Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations, which requires the skid plank thickness to be at least 9 mm. On car No. 4, at the rearmost part of the skid plank it measured 0.12 mm below that minimum, and on car No. 81 it was 0.26 mm below.
During the race both cars experienced unexpectedly intense vertical oscillation (porpoising), which did not appear during practice, and this caused excessively strong contacts with the track surface.
The 2026 Subaru Outback Is Actually Still a Wagon—But Keep It Under Wraps from the SUV Fans.
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At the launch of the 2026 Subaru Outback, the company’s program manager shared numerous stories from her extensive interactions with current Subaru owners. If you've ever worked in customer service, you know that customers can be quite expressive – they often say the most unexpected things. A recurring message from Subaru’s owners was their desire for the Outback to have more interior space. Sounds easy, right? But there was a caveat: they didn’t want the vehicle itself to increase in size.
The latest car news and reviews, straightforward and honest
Our free daily newsletter brings you the essential stories right to your inbox every weekday.
At the launch of the 2026 Subaru Outback, the company’s program manager shared numerous stories from her extensive interactions with current Subaru owners. If you've ever worked in customer service, you know that customers can be quite expressive – they often say the most unexpected things. A recurring message from Subaru’s owners was their desire for the Outback to have more interior space. Sounds easy, right? But there was a caveat: they didn’t want the vehicle itself to increase in size.
Las Vegas Grand Prix: Order of tire changes during the race
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Pirelli published information on the sequence of tyre changes during the race:
Driver
Start
1st pit stop
2nd pit stop
3rd pit stop
M. Verstappen
C4N
C3N(25)
L. Norris
C4N
C3N(22)
D. Russell
C4N
C3N(17)
O. Piastri
C4N
C3N(21)
K. Antonelli
C5N
C3N(02)
S. Leclerc
C4N
C3N(24)
C. Sainz
C4N
C3N(22)
A. Hajar
C4N
C3N(20)
N. Hülkenberg
C3N
C4N(30)
L. Hamilton
C3N
C4N(29)
E. Ocon
C4N
C3N(27)
O. Berman
C4N
C3N(17)
F. Alonso
C4N
C3N(16)
Y. Tsunoda
C4N
C3N(01)
C4U(27)
P. Gasly
C4N
C3N(02)
L.
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Pirelli published information on the sequence of tyre changes during the race:
Driver
Start
1st pit stop
2nd pit stop
3rd pit stop
M. Verstappen
C4N
C3N(25)
L. Norris
C4N
C3N(22)
D. Russell
C4N
C3N(17)
O. Piastri
C4N
C3N(21)
K. Antonelli
C5N
C3N(02)
S. Leclerc
C4N
C3N(24)
C. Sainz
C4N
C3N(22)
A. Hajar
C4N
C3N(20)
N. Hülkenberg
C3N
C4N(30)
L. Hamilton
C3N
C4N(29)
E. Ocon
C4N
C3N(27)
O. Berman
C4N
C3N(17)
F. Alonso
C4N
C3N(16)
Y. Tsunoda
C4N
C3N(01)
C4U(27)
P. Gasly
C4N
C3N(02)
L.
McLaren's 'hara-kiri' decision throws the title race into disarray.
The Formula 1 championship battle has been significantly reignited following the disqualifications of both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the Las Vegas GP due to excessive wear on the plank. Just hours after the race concluded, FIA officials determined that both McLaren cars had violated the minimum thickness standard, cutting Norris' lead over Max Verstappen from 42 points down to just 24, with two grand prix and a sprint event still remaining. Verstappen is now tied on points with Piastri.
"Max Verstappen’s influence suddenly looms much larger," noted Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. La Repubblica commented that "McLaren has committed hara-kiri in Las Vegas," while Austria’s Kurier speculated that "0.12 millimeters could determine the World Championship.
The Formula 1 championship battle has been significantly reignited following the disqualifications of both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the Las Vegas GP due to excessive wear on the plank. Just hours after the race concluded, FIA officials determined that both McLaren cars had violated the minimum thickness standard, cutting Norris' lead over Max Verstappen from 42 points down to just 24, with two grand prix and a sprint event still remaining. Verstappen is now tied on points with Piastri.
"Max Verstappen’s influence suddenly looms much larger," noted Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport. La Repubblica commented that "McLaren has committed hara-kiri in Las Vegas," while Austria’s Kurier speculated that "0.12 millimeters could determine the World Championship.
Aston Martin remains silent regarding rumors of Cowell's potential dismissal.
"The emphasis is on enhancing performance"
Aston Martin is not denying the increasing speculation regarding the uncertainty of team principal Andy Cowell’s position after a chaotic time within the technical department. A representative from Aston Martin stated: "The team will not be participating in rumors or speculation. The emphasis is on enhancing performance in the upcoming races and preparing for 2026."
Following the chequered flag in Las Vegas, British media quickly associated Christian Horner with the position—a move that would reunite him with Adrian Newey. However, many insiders are skeptical, given ongoing claims that part of Newey’s Red Bull departure was due to tensions with Horner, who was subsequently removed from his role.
"The emphasis is on enhancing performance"
Aston Martin is not denying the increasing speculation regarding the uncertainty of team principal Andy Cowell’s position after a chaotic time within the technical department. A representative from Aston Martin stated: "The team will not be participating in rumors or speculation. The emphasis is on enhancing performance in the upcoming races and preparing for 2026."
Following the chequered flag in Las Vegas, British media quickly associated Christian Horner with the position—a move that would reunite him with Adrian Newey. However, many insiders are skeptical, given ongoing claims that part of Newey’s Red Bull departure was due to tensions with Horner, who was subsequently removed from his role.
Alonso criticizes Vegas and the schedule, while the F1 CEO supports the event.
Fernando Alonso has expressed strong criticism regarding Formula 1's Las Vegas Grand Prix, focusing on the track surface and its timing on the calendar, which has been met with a measured response from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. In an interview with Spain’s AS, Alonso stated that the 6.2km 'Strip Circuit' has significant flaws despite its high-speed design.
"The circuit is enjoyable due to its speed. However, the asphalt does not meet Formula 1 standards," said the seasoned driver. "It’s excessively slippery, we struggle to bring the tyres to the appropriate temperature, there’s a lack of grip, and the surface is extremely bumpy. Racing here is nearly unsafe. We need to discuss with the FIA about its acceptability for future years.
Fernando Alonso has expressed strong criticism regarding Formula 1's Las Vegas Grand Prix, focusing on the track surface and its timing on the calendar, which has been met with a measured response from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. In an interview with Spain’s AS, Alonso stated that the 6.2km 'Strip Circuit' has significant flaws despite its high-speed design.
"The circuit is enjoyable due to its speed. However, the asphalt does not meet Formula 1 standards," said the seasoned driver. "It’s excessively slippery, we struggle to bring the tyres to the appropriate temperature, there’s a lack of grip, and the surface is extremely bumpy. Racing here is nearly unsafe. We need to discuss with the FIA about its acceptability for future years.
DHL Fastest Pit Stop Award: Best pit stop by Red Bull
In Las Vegas the fastest pit stop was performed by Red Bull mechanics, servicing Yuki Tsunoda's car in 1.99 seconds — the sixth-fastest pit stop of the current season.
Teams carried out 23 pit stops over the course of the race. The longest was Gabriel Bortoleto's pit stop after a crash on the first lap.
Team
Driver
Time
Lap
Points
1. Red Bull
Y. Tsunoda
1.99
27
25
2. Mercedes
G. Russell
2.08
17
18
3. McLaren
L. Norris
2.33
22
15
4. Red Bull
Y. Tsunoda
2.43
01
-
5. Racing Bulls
L. Lawson
2.44
28
12
6. Williams
C. Sainz
2.48
22
10
7. Aston Martin
F. Alonso
2.49
16
8
8. Ferrari
C. Leclerc
2.55
24
6
9. McLaren
O. Piastri
2.56
21
4
10. Racing Bulls
A. Hajar
2.79
20
2
11. Haas
O. Berman
2.
In Las Vegas the fastest pit stop was performed by Red Bull mechanics, servicing Yuki Tsunoda's car in 1.99 seconds — the sixth-fastest pit stop of the current season.
Teams carried out 23 pit stops over the course of the race. The longest was Gabriel Bortoleto's pit stop after a crash on the first lap.
Team
Driver
Time
Lap
Points
1. Red Bull
Y. Tsunoda
1.99
27
25
2. Mercedes
G. Russell
2.08
17
18
3. McLaren
L. Norris
2.33
22
15
4. Red Bull
Y. Tsunoda
2.43
01
-
5. Racing Bulls
L. Lawson
2.44
28
12
6. Williams
C. Sainz
2.48
22
10
7. Aston Martin
F. Alonso
2.49
16
8
8. Ferrari
C. Leclerc
2.55
24
6
9. McLaren
O. Piastri
2.56
21
4
10. Racing Bulls
A. Hajar
2.79
20
2
11. Haas
O. Berman
2.
Only three weeks remain until the official FIA Awards 2025 ceremony recognizing the season’s results, which this year will take place in Tashkent.
The top representatives of the series held under the FIA’s auspices — from karting to Formula 1 — will gather in the capital of Uzbekistan to receive prizes and championship trophies.
The FIA will broadcast the ceremony on social media, including on its official YouTube page. The broadcast begins at 21:00 Moscow time.
The top representatives of the series held under the FIA’s auspices — from karting to Formula 1 — will gather in the capital of Uzbekistan to receive prizes and championship trophies.
The FIA will broadcast the ceremony on social media, including on its official YouTube page. The broadcast begins at 21:00 Moscow time.
The FIA considers the marshals' actions to be correct.
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix the FIA was again criticized over the marshals' conduct. In Mexico Liam Lawson nearly hit two marshals who ran across the track in front of his car. In Vegas marshals went onto the track to clear debris after an incident at the first corner and were forced to run for cover when they saw Max Verstappen's car.
Former FIA race director Niels Wittich on Sky Sport called the situation unacceptable…
Niels Wittich: "This should not have happened. There is a specific procedure, especially at the first corner at the start, when marshals are on heightened alert and go out to clear debris as soon as the last car has passed. But in Vegas for some reason it took much longer.
Cars had time to complete a lap and were approaching the first corner again – in such a situation double yellow flags are no longer sufficient.
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix the FIA was again criticized over the marshals' conduct. In Mexico Liam Lawson nearly hit two marshals who ran across the track in front of his car. In Vegas marshals went onto the track to clear debris after an incident at the first corner and were forced to run for cover when they saw Max Verstappen's car.
Former FIA race director Niels Wittich on Sky Sport called the situation unacceptable…
Niels Wittich: "This should not have happened. There is a specific procedure, especially at the first corner at the start, when marshals are on heightened alert and go out to clear debris as soon as the last car has passed. But in Vegas for some reason it took much longer.
Cars had time to complete a lap and were approaching the first corner again – in such a situation double yellow flags are no longer sufficient.
Penalty points after the Las Vegas Grand Prix
The FIA uses a penalty points system on the superlicence to reduce the number of offences. Each infringement is punished with a certain number of points; their total over 12 months must not exceed twelve — otherwise the driver is suspended for one race, which happened in 2024 to Kevin Magnussen. Penalty points expire 12 months after they are awarded.
The next points will expire on December 1 — immediately after the Qatar Grand Prix — these are one point for Verstappen, two points for Albon and Lawson, and three points for Norris, received during last year’s race in Qatar.
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, sixteen current drivers have unexpired penalty points. The leader in their number is Oliver Bearman.
Penalty points after the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Driver
Team
Points
Next expiry
O. Bearman
Haas F1
9
23/05/26 - 2 points
L.
The FIA uses a penalty points system on the superlicence to reduce the number of offences. Each infringement is punished with a certain number of points; their total over 12 months must not exceed twelve — otherwise the driver is suspended for one race, which happened in 2024 to Kevin Magnussen. Penalty points expire 12 months after they are awarded.
The next points will expire on December 1 — immediately after the Qatar Grand Prix — these are one point for Verstappen, two points for Albon and Lawson, and three points for Norris, received during last year’s race in Qatar.
After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, sixteen current drivers have unexpired penalty points. The leader in their number is Oliver Bearman.
Penalty points after the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Driver
Team
Points
Next expiry
O. Bearman
Haas F1
9
23/05/26 - 2 points
L.