Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Advantage Gets Exposed After 2025 Las Vegas GP triumph

Red Bull's Laurent Mekies opens up on the Max Verstappen factor at the Las Vegas GP that helped him dominate the track on race day.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Advantage Gets Exposed After 2025 Las Vegas GP triumph

Laurent Mekies and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

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Max Verstappen put forth one of the greatest performances at the 2025 Las Vegas GP before bringing home the race win. The Dutchman failed to clinch the pole position against Lando Norris in the Qualifying session.

However, Verstappen more than made up for the loss in the Qualifying and achieved the race win with an astonishing 20s margin to the runner-up. Now, Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies opens up on how the 28-year-old truly maximized his pace in Sin City before scoring the stellar results.

Laurent Mekies‘ entry has helped Red Bull improve their results significantly. The team is able to push now more than ever and is scoring great results after the summer break. Notably, the Las Vegas GP victory was Max Verstappen‘s eighth consecutive podium finish after returning from the break. Moreover, Verstappen enjoyed an extraordinary amount of pace in the RB21 before ultimately bringing home the race win with a 20s gap to Lando Norris.

Further, McLaren’s double DSQ at Las Vegas means that Max Verstappen is now just 24 points adrift of the championship lead with just two races to go. Now, Laurent Mekies showcases his delight with the reigning world champion’s masterclass in Sin City.

Mekies recalled that the team had more confidence in the hard tire stint as they were in very good condition even after Verstappen pitted for the first time. He insisted that Max Verstappen was able to push more than normal in the RB21 challenger, and he showcased more pace than what the team expected from the car during the simulation runs.

Though Verstappen was asked to increase pace and maximize lap times when he was under the threat of being attacked by Lando Norris. Notably, the four-time champion increased pace every time he was asked to do so and truly put forth one of the greatest results of his career in Las Vegas.

We had more confidence on the hard because the set of mediums, we saw that the tyres were in good condition when we took them off the car. Max could push more, and he had probably even more pace than what we have seen in the car. There was a couple of times in the second stint where we asked him to increase the pace when Lando was pushing, and every time it was necessary, he increased the pace.

Laurent Mekies said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Laurent Mekies labels Max Verstappen’s Las Vegas GP as ‘masterclass’

Max Verstappen’s championship-winning chances seemed to be shattered after he suffered from some unfortunate races recently. However, the double DSQ will surely help the Dutchman greatly in his hunt for the fifth consecutive title battle. Laurent Mekies highlighted that Verstappen’s Las Vegas GP was truly a masterclass from him, and if he keeps up with such results, he might just win his fifth title this year.

Max Verstappen winning the 2025 Las Vegas GP (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen winning the 2025 Las Vegas GP (via Red Bull)

Laurent Mekies highlighted that the Las Vegas GP performance was undoubtedly a masterclass from Max Verstappen. The 28-year-old managed to excel on track at a race where there were reduced practice times because of multiple problems throughout the sessions. All things considered, Verstappen nailed everything perfectly in Sin City and reaped massive rewards.

I think altogether it was a masterclass from him, no question, on a race weekend where nobody had the proper preparations, because the practice sessions were all disturbed by something. To be that strong on Sunday [with] tyre degradation, executions, race pace. A big well done to Max for nailing it again and to everyone back in Milton Keynes and at the race track.

Laurent Mekies added.

Max Verstappen may have won the battle in the Las Vegas GP, but he hasn’t won the war yet. There are two races to go, and he has to cover up the 24-point deficit to the forefront. Although it isn’t impossible for Verstappen to win now, he still needs a bit of luck combined with his masterclass racing. Hence, time will tell if the 28-year-old manages to tip the balance in his favor and come out on top at the end.

Also Read: Oscar Piastri Is Putting “Pride and Ego” on the Line for the Final Two Races of 2025 F1 season