The thunderous growl of race engines reverberated across the Las Vegas Strip last week, transforming the heart of the city into a high-speed theater of light and sound.
The 2025 Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix — widely regarded as “the most glamorous race in the world” — unfolded from November 20 to 22. The host, Las Vegas Grand Prix, reported that approximately 300,000 visitors descended on Las Vegas for the event, many of whom were determined to witness firsthand a 200-mile-per-hour street race that lasted about 90 minutes. Even with top-tier tickets surpassing $28,000, the grandstands were completely sold out.
For the second consecutive year, The Korea Daily served as the sole Korean news outlet covering the Grand Prix on site. The weekend delivered gripping developments both on and off the circuit, underscoring once again that Formula One is a sport defined by technical precision, engineering sophistication, and a level of teamwork often unseen by the public.
Throughout race week, the Strip was crowded with spectators draped in the colors of McLaren, Oracle Red Bull Racing, and Mercedes-AMG. Particularly notable was the fervent support from Asian and South American fans cheering for their national favorites — Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull and Franco Colapinto of BWT Alpine — both of whom command sizable followings in their home countries.
The race took place on a 3.8-mile nighttime circuit carved through the center of the Strip, passing Caesars Palace, Bellagio, Wynn, and the illuminated Sphere. Against this backdrop of neon and spectacle, the cars’ luminous streaks offered a vivid reminder of how the Las Vegas Grand Prix earned its reputation as one of the sport’s most dazzling showcases.
The main event commenced at 8 p.m. on November 22, with 20 drivers battling over 50 laps. The race opened with immediate drama: within seconds of the start, three to four cars made contact in the first corner, triggering early turmoil. Overtaking attempts continued throughout the night, and a notable surge by Mercedes-AMG’s newcomer Kimi Antonelli, who climbed from 17th on the grid to fifth, drew sustained applause from the grandstands.
Max Verstappen of Oracle Red Bull Racing claimed the victory with a time of 1:21:08.429. Pole-sitter Lando Norris of McLaren followed in second, while George Russell of Mercedes-AMG secured third. Although the margin between first and second was a substantial 20.741 seconds, the contest for the remaining podium positions remained tight, with just three seconds separating second from third.
What followed, however, was unprecedented: the results were overturned.
In a post-race inspection, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) determined that the rear skid-plank thickness on both McLaren MCL39 cars — those driven by Norris and Oscar Piastri — failed to meet the minimum 9mm requirement. Both drivers were subsequently disqualified, elevating Russell to second place and Antonelli to third.
The ruling dramatically reshaped the championship landscape. Norris, once viewed as the strongest contender for this year’s title, now faces a significant setback, while defending champion Verstappen has strengthened his position. With 25 points awarded for a victory and only 24 points separating the two drivers, the race for the season championship has tightened considerably.
Formula One, considered among the world’s premier global sports, features 24 races this season. Las Vegas served as the 22nd stop, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi remaining on the calendar. The United States continued its distinction as the sport’s most frequent host nation, staging events in Las Vegas, Miami, and Austin.
Beyond the competition, the Grand Prix drew a constellation of high-profile guests. Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Ben Affleck, and Naomi Campbell were among the celebrities in attendance. Senior government and industry leaders — including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, FBI Director Cathy Patel, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos — were also present, underscoring the event’s cultural and economic reach.
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
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