International media praise Verstappen: 'The alien put rivals to shame'

Max Verstappen won in a spectacular Las Vegas Grand Prix. The international media are short of superlatives for the Red Bull Racing driver's performance, but at the same time, note that there is a bitter battle for P2 among constructors between Mercedes and Ferrari.

Corriere della Sera

"In the gambling city, the alien of Formula 1 could not resist making fun of his opponents," wrote Corriere della Sera. "Max Verstappen, who else but him wins on the night of Las Vegas and its unique setting? Despite penalties and even damage to his car, the three-time world champion scored victory number 18 and equalled Sebastian Vettel's record."

The Guardian

The Guardian notes that the "gamble" of putting Las Vegas on the F1 calendar has finally paid off after a "troubling week". "The house always wins here, so of course Max Verstappen took the flag for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, but he had to fight hard to do it which meant the racing matched the show and made for the spectacle F1 craved."

"It was outstanding. Verstappen had to come back from both a penalty and an on-track clash with George Russell to take victory. In doing so, the world champion vied thrillingly with Ferrari’s second-placed Charles Leclerc and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez, who was third," the British newspaper said.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport also admired Verstappen's performance. "The Dutchman won despite a penalty and a broken front wing. Leclerc was combative but not perfect at the start and in the final, despite a superb overtake on Perez. The lowest mark, however, goes to the regulations, which unfairly penalised Sainz."

"Verstappen also won the Las Vegas GP, extending his record number of season wins to 18. Even a penalty and a broken front wing did not stop him from beating an excellent Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. A blemish on the weekend remained the unjustified penalty for Carlos Sainz."

Marca

Marca focuses on the constructors' battle between Ferrari and Mercedes, pointing to the grid penalty Sainz received from the FIA because a loosened pit lid caused damage to his SF-23. " This is the big battle, where there are millions of euros at stake for the runner-up, more money for the 2024 car and fewer development hours until June for whoever emerges victorious," Marca writes of the battle between Ferrari and Mercedes for P2 in the constructors' championship.

"For Mercedes to remain the third team in 2021 would be painful. There is so much bitterness that it was Mercedes that was behind Sainz not getting an exemption from his unjustified penalty. And it had an effect, he scored fewer points and is still ahead," the Spanish newspaper said.