As Formula 1 enters its final triple-header, the championship battle intensifies with teams locked in three-way showdowns. Max Verstappen stands on the brink of securing his fourth consecutive title this weekend in Las Vegas.
The Spotlight on a Three-Way Battle
This season has been a rollercoaster for Verstappen, contrasting sharply with his dominance in 2023. The defending champion started strong with seven wins in the first 10 races. However, the next 10 races were a disaster for the Dutchman, with not a single victory to his name.
During Verstappen’s struggles, McLaren surged forward, with Lando Norris narrowing the gap and fueling hopes of a monumental upset. However, Verstappen’s commanding win at Interlagos last week has all but sealed his championship. With just three races left and a 62-point lead, it is nearly impossible for Norris to overturn the standings.
Norris still has a fight ahead. McLaren leads the constructors’ standings with 593 points, ahead of Ferrari (557) and Red Bull (544). While Red Bull’s hopes of retaining their title are slim, the three-way battle will likely focus on the top two teams this weekend.
Ferrari, after back-to-back wins at COTA and Mexico, leapfrogged Red Bull into second place and closed in on McLaren. Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are optimistic about their chances in Las Vegas. However, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi favoring McLaren’s MCL38, Ferrari may shift their goal to defending second place.
Last year in Las Vegas, Ferrari put up a strong fight, with Leclerc battling Verstappen and Sainz overcoming setbacks to finish sixth. Could the glitz of Vegas reignite the title race?
A Fierce Midfield Showdown
Further down the grid, a similar three-way battle is unfolding for sixth place. While Mercedes and Aston Martin have secured fourth and fifth, the fight for sixth sees Alpine (49 points), Haas (46), and RB (44) in contention.
Alpine’s surprising podium finish in Brazil catapulted them from ninth to the top of the midfield fight. Meanwhile, Haas brought back rookie Oliver Bearman, who managed a 12th-place finish, but the challenges of F1 are apparent as he adjusts to the sport.
Future Stars and Shifting Seats
The driver market also sees movement. Alfa Romeo has confirmed that Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will leave at the end of 2024, making way for F2 leader Gabriel Bortoleto to partner Nico Hülkenberg in 2025. The Brazilian prospect has impressed with back-to-back championship wins in F3 and a dominant F2 campaign.
As the 2025 grid takes shape, one seat remains unclaimed—alongside Yuki Tsunoda at RB. Red Bull and RB will use the final three races to evaluate their options, potentially giving fans a preview of the future.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix promises high-stakes action, both on the track and in the championship standings, as the season hurtles toward its dramatic conclusion.
