Max Verstappen emerged victorious at the Las Vegas Grand Prix despite expressing his frustration with the event, calling it the “National League” of racing. The Dutchman, who had already secured this year's championship, achieved his 18th win out of 21 races. However, Verstappen faced numerous challenges during the race, including a five-second time penalty, collisions with Charles Leclerc and George Russell, and the need to overtake Leclerc on the final lap to secure second place. The race was also marked by a dramatic crash involving Lando Norris, who was subsequently hospitalized. Lewis Hamilton finished in seventh place.

While the focus was meant to be on the track, the Las Vegas Grand Prix encountered several problems throughout the weekend. The event, dubbed as the most expensive race in Formula One history, faced delays and controversy. During the practice session on Thursday, a loose manhole cover caused significant damage to Carlos Sainz's Ferrari, forcing a halt to the proceedings. Cars were not allowed back on the track for over five hours, leading to frustrated fans being asked to leave. Just hours before the race, organizers faced a class-action lawsuit filed by 35,000 fans who were only able to witness a few minutes of the event.

Verstappen's comments on the glitzy and celebrity-filled event further added to the controversy. He compared the Las Vegas Grand Prix to the fifth tier of English football, stating that Monaco is the Champions League in comparison. Verstappen criticized the focus on showmanship, highlighting that as a real racer, the show shouldn't be the priority. The event attracted numerous celebrities, including Kylie Minogue, Justin Bieber, and John Legend.

Looking ahead, the Formula One season will conclude with the final race at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit. Verstappen and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez have already secured first and second place in the championship, with Hamilton currently in third. Red Bull will also take home the season's constructors trophy.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix faced further setbacks with a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of 35,000 fans who were disappointed by the limited action they were able to witness. The race itself was anticipated to begin at 6.00am UK time on Sunday, with Charles Leclerc securing pole position. However, the Thursday practice session lasted less than nine minutes due to a loose manhole cover damaging Carlos Sainz's Ferrari. This led to a five-and-a-half hour delay as crews worked to repair the track. A second practice session commenced in front of empty grandstands in the middle of the night.

Race officials attempted to compensate fans by offering merchandise vouchers, but the compensation did not extend to those who had purchased three-day passes or incurred additional expenses such as airfare and hotel accommodations. Lawyer Steve Dimopoulos highlighted the issues with this compensation and stated that many fans simply wanted a refund.

Verstappen's criticisms of the event added fuel to the controversy. He expressed his disappointment with the focus on showmanship and the lack of passion and emotion compared to traditional racetracks such as Monza and Spa. Verstappen emphasized the importance of fans understanding the sport and the risks drivers take to perform. He also shared his feelings of being reduced to a “clown” during the opening ceremony-style event.

Despite the setbacks and controversies, the Las Vegas Grand Prix continued with Verstappen securing a well-deserved victory. However, the event's flaws and the dissatisfaction of fans will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the future of the Las Vegas leg of the Formula One season.