Verstappen wins Las Vegas GP in front of celebs including David Beckham and Brad Pitt while Hamilton only takes seventh

VIVA Max Vegas!

It was the only certainty in the city where luck plays its part as Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

GettyMax Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix[/caption]

GettyShaquille O’Neal and David Beckham headlined the star-studded VIP list[/caption]

GettyBrad Pitt looked as cool as ever at the circuit[/caption]

ReutersJustin Bieber waved the chequered flag for Verstappen[/caption]

GettyVeronika Rajek made quite the impression in her sparkling pink outfit[/caption]

GettyRihanna was one of the biggest names enjoying the event as a Ferrari guest[/caption]

AFPParis Hilton could not hide her smile as she walked down the pit lane[/caption]

Dressed in an all-white Elvis Presley-style race suite, the world champion belted out a rendition of the singer’s hit about this gambling mecca.

It was his 18th win of the season but this time he was made to fight for it after picking up a five-second penalty on the first lap.

He had a running battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole and eventually came home in second place after pipping Sergio Perez on the final lap.

The Mexican choked on the final lap for the second successive race as he was unable to hold on.

Verstappen, who had blasted this race as “99 per cent entertainment” said: “It was a tough one.

“I tried to go for it at the start. I just ran out of grip, so ended up a bit wide.

“The stewards gave me a penalty for that and it put us on the backfoot.

“I had to pass quite a few cars and there was the Safety Car, so at that point there was a lot going on… Definitely a lot of fun.”

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Leclerc added: “What a race! I enjoyed it so much. I’m of course disappointed to only finish second, but that’s the best we could do.

“At the start Max on the inside lost a little bit of the grip and brought me onto the outside [of the track] but we had good pace, we passed him back, and we were really strong overall. So that was a really good race.

“The weekend didn’t start the way it had to start but I am so happy it ended that way.

“It’s such an incredible sport and I today is no better race than for the first race in Vegas. The energy around the city is incredible and I at least really enjoyed today.”

Verstappen’s win means Red Bull have set a new record for the most wins in a season by a team – surpassing Mercedes’ 19 victories from 2016.

The Dutchman has now equalled Sebastian Vettel on 53 career wins, the joint-third most on the all-time winners’ list.

GettyVerstappen celebrates alongside Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc[/caption]

SplashThe race took place on the famous Las Vegas strip[/caption]

EPAIt was a disappointing race for Lewis Hamilton[/caption]

Lando Norris crashed out of the raceRex

GettyIt was victory No18 in a remarkable season for Verstappen[/caption]

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had eventful races as Mercedes’ hopes of a return to form were ended.

Boss Toto Wolff is under more pressure to turn the team around after a miserable two years.

Hamilton, who had come into this weekend saying the team had learned their lessons from the Brazilian GP, was only good enough for seventh after picking up a puncture in a tangle with Oscar Piastri.

And Russell came home in eighth place but only after serving a five-second penalty for banging into Verstappen.

Lando Norris crashed out on the third lap after inexplicably losing control of his McLaren at high speed.

Norris climbed from his McLaren but was taken to the medical centre for checks before being sent to the local hospital.

GettyGordon Ramsay attended with his daughter Holly Anna[/caption]

GettyCara Delevingne opted for a green number[/caption]

GettyKylie Minogue posed alongside Verstappen’s Red Bull car[/caption]

GettyAmanda Sorensen was a guest at the Sports Illustrated Club SI[/caption]

GettyCamille Kostek opted for a black leather outfit[/caption]

AFPUsain Bolt took in the sights and sounds of the Vegas GP[/caption]

GettyZlatan Ibrahimovic made an appearance at the race[/caption]

GettyMMA star Aljamain Sterling looked brilliant in a floral shirt and pastel pink suit[/caption]

GettyNastya Swan rocked a pink dress[/caption]

GettyRachael Kirkconnell looked glamorous in a skirt and high boots[/caption]

GettyColin Kaepernick kept himself warm amid the low temperatures[/caption]

GettyFifa president Gianni Infantino was in the house[/caption]