Verstappen backs Norris’ Vegas GP start despite costly error

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Max Verstappen says Lando Norris was absolutely right to launch an aggressive defence off the line in Las Vegas, even though the McLaren driver’s bold move ultimately opened the door for the Red Bull driver’s race-winning charge.

Norris started from pole with a chance to eliminate Verstappen from the title fight, needing nine more points than the Dutchman. But a hesitant getaway forced the championship leader to immediately cover the inside line from Verstappen’s surging Red Bull.

Norris held track position into the braking zone for Turn 1, only to misjudge his stopping point and slide wide, surrendering the lead and momentum.

Verstappen never looked back. He controlled the race from the front to take his sixth win of the season, while Norris recovered to second but later suffered late-race issues that left him unable to mount a counter-attack.

Verstappen Defends Opening-Lap Lunge

After the race, Verstappen insisted Norris made the correct move – even if the low-grip surface punished him for it.

“Yeah, I mean that’s what you should do. I mean to cover off of course the inside,” Verstappen said.

“But I think yeah, it’s very easy to get caught out with where you have to brake. Also, because normally in the start you leave the grid and then you look in the mirror.

“But here it’s almost like you don’t have a lot of time to look in the mirror because you immediately have to brake again. And it’s quite slippery anyway. So, I guess that’s what happened.”

Norris’ mistake also opened the door for George Russell to slip through into second. The Mercedes driver pressed Verstappen hard in the early laps, dipping into DRS range before tyre graining halted his attack.

Verstappen explained how the battle for grip shaped the opening phase.

“I mean it helped of course to get into the lead in Turn 1,” he said. “I do think in the first stint we were all finding our feet a bit with how much to push or not, how much we had to manage.Because I do think we’re all quite close up until the pit stops.

“So, we were just trying to get a good balance because we didn’t really get to have a good understanding on Thursday. But yeah, it felt better than expected I would say.”

Strategic Control and a Steady Title Pulse

Starting on mediums, Verstappen used his early advantage to overcut Russell and secure a clean-air second stint on the hards.

“Already on that compound and then when we got on to the Hard compound I think already because we did quite a decent first stint, it made the second stint a little bit easier,” he noted.

“But even there you have to also make sure that you don’t overcook it with the tyre. But yeah, we did well. The good communication with the pit wall as well. So yeah, actually very enjoyable, very nice, relaxed actually. So it was great.”

Norris’ runner-up finish left him 42 points ahead of Verstappen in the championship – but that margin may yet shrink, with both McLarens under investigation by the Las Vegas stewards for alleged plank-wear violations.

As for Verstappen, he is not reading too deeply into the championship permutations.

“Just trying to enjoy a good time. And when you can win, you try to win,” he said when asked about his hopes for a fifth world title.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.