Overview
- Lando Norris tops the standings 390–366 over McLaren team‑mate Oscar Piastri, with Max Verstappen third on 341 and still mathematically alive.
- McLaren says it has acted on 2024 Las Vegas weaknesses in tyre behaviour, aero efficiency and setup, yet Lando Norris warns the cool night conditions will hinder the car.
- Mercedes dominated the 2024 race with a Russell‑Hamilton one‑two, though Toto Wolff cautions against expecting a repeat given this season’s variability.
- The night race is set for an 8 p.m. local start with temperatures near 12°C, and Pirelli has nominated the C3–C5 compounds for the low‑downforce street layout.
- Betting markets list Verstappen as a slight race favorite over Norris, as Piastri faces scrutiny over recent form and a public call from manager Mark Webber for an attitude change.