Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will add extra burst to F1 GP in Las Vegas thriller

High octane Formula One returns to the United States of America for what is being touted as one Grand Prix which will be most watched. Given America’s love, more for NASCAR and even truck races, F1 has caught on. The following for it may not be as massive as it is in Europe and even a few destinations like Singapore, which breaks a monotony of sorts.

For sure, the focus will be on two characters this Saturday night, since Las Vegas has opted for a 10pm start to the race. Reasons for it are prime time viewing across zones, in the USA as well as Europe. What will add more thrust to the race is Max Verstappen can go on to become world champion for the fourth time in succession. Given his dominance in F1 over the last three years, the Dutchman is a superstar who has made the Red Bull team look invincible. And, after his adrenaline-felted efforts at Inter Lagos in Brazil in the last race, where Verstappen when an unbelievable race, overtaking almost half the grid, he is being touted as the champion again. All that Verstappen has to do is ensure he wins points ahead of Lando Norris and seal the title, before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, in December.

Verstappen has also seen some of his comments being misinterpreted this season. There was even a mild censure of sorts for him after he had cursed his car, which was misunderstood as swearing. It was later clarified. It was also shocking as well that Verstappen even threatened if this was the way the sport was going forward, he would pack up and move to some other branch of motorsports. Luckily, Verstappen has stayed cool and the only heat being generated is on the track by his powerful Red Bull. The Dutchman is well aware of what the win in Las Vegas can mean, a new legacy of sorts and to rule the sport for one more year. At the same time, as one who has shown maturity as well, Verstappen will not do anything bizarre which can bring him down in the race to being crowned champion. There are, after all, more Grand Prix races left this season.

If Verstappen is excited about his run over the last few races in 2024, Lewis Hamilton, seven-time champion is now in the mood to pack up from Mecedes and move to Ferrari from the 2025 season. It is one big deal, where none knows whether Hamilton will make 40 million British Sterling Pounds a year or 50 million. Hamilton has a great legacy and what he achieved with Mercedes will always be talked of in glowing terms. Yet, Hamilton has been unhappy this year with his car and even said all bitter things about it after the last race. There was a veiled threat he would not race in the ‘junk’ Mercedes for the remainder of the F1 season. Obviously, someone in Mercedes would have read out the job contract to him, which makes it obligatory for him to finish the season with his current team.

Hamilton has made up since then and asked his fans to send him wishes. He will try and showcase their names, not all though, in his Mercedes car livery at the last event in Abu Dhabi. At two months short of 40, Hamilton’s legend status is not in doubt. What will be a challenge for him from 2025 is to bring the legacy of Ferrari back into limelight. There are millions, still, who associate the romance of Ferrari with Michael Schumacher. It was one of those rare relationships where the entire fan base had worshiped Schumacher all along. Some stopped watching F1 after the German was forced to leave for Mercedes, though he was past prime.

How Hamilton can bring back that emotional connect for Ferrari will be interesting to watch. The Briton is already thinking about his next team, though to leave Mercedes will be emotional as well, despite the lows in the last three years. So, for all those who love F1 and its characters, to see how Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton play out the remainder of this season will be gripping. To watch a former champion and present champion deal with the emotions, F1 will be worth it in Las Vegas and finally in Abu Dhabi, in December.