Max Verstappen won a record 18th race of the season with a pass of Charles Leclerc at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which turned out to be one of the most competitive events of the season despite a disastrous start to Formula 1's expensive extravaganza.
Verstappen had slammed the race at every chance, yet raced in an Elvis Presley-inspired firesuit and took the victory on the famed Las Vegas Strip as he crossed under the checkered flag waved by Justin Bieber.
"I hope everyone enjoyed it, we definitely did. Excited to come back here next year and try to do something similar," said Verstappen, who had markedly reversed his position on the Las Vegas spectacle.
Verstappen, Leclerc and Sergio Perez were driven in a limousine to a podium located near the Bellagio where they were treated to the casino's famed fountain show and later to a New Year's Eve-style fireworks show over the Strip.
Celebrities in attendance included Brad Pitt, Rihanna, Usain Bolt and Shaquille O'Neal as F1 said the three-day event drew 315,000 spectators.
Owner Liberty Media expected to spend US$500 million (HK$3.89 billion) on the grand prix.
The entire event nearly imploded nine minutes into the first practice session when Carlos Sainz Jr ran over a water drain valve on the track that badly damaged his Ferrari and F1 had to close the 6.2-kilometer circuit for inspection.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, who finished seventh for Mercedes, said the circuit "provided a better race than most of the tracks we go to."
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Max Verstappen wins the Las Vegas Grand Prix in an outfit that evokes memories of Elvis Presley. AP, REUTERS
