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The Formula One season is coming to a close following an exciting Las Vegas Grand Prix. The final drivers\u2019 leaderboard is starting to take shape as teams prepare for one more race in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
Max Verstappen\u00a0battled off a penalty and a collision with\u00a0George Russell\u00a0to win the penultimate race of the season. The Dutchman\u2019s triumph was his 18th of 2023, with Charles Leclerc unable to overcome the Red Bull ace.<\/p>\n
It was another disappointing weekend for Mercedes. After key figures from the Silver Arrows spent the fortnight following their terrible Brazilian Grand Prix display complaining about their car,\u00a0Lewis Hamilton\u00a0and Russell finished seventh and eighth in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
The result did, however, see Hamilton cement his position in third in the Drivers’ World Championship, meaning he is obliged to attend the FIA gala award ceremony at the end of the year or face a punishment if he skips it again having snubbed the previous two editions. Verstappen, meanwhile, got pulled up by his father Jos for comments he made about the Las Vegas Grand Prix following some intense criticism of the Red Bull driver, which will no doubt somewhat have spoiled his weekend.<\/p>\n
Follow all the latest updates with Express Sport\u2019s LIVE blog, below\u2026<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton risks a punishment after securing third-place in the F1 world drivers\u2019 championship leaderboard.<\/p>\n
The Briton came seventh in Las Vegas but was able to confirm third behind Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in the overall standings.<\/p>\n
However, that could put Hamilton at risk of a fine if he does not attend the end-of-season FIA awards evening.<\/p>\n
According to the rulebook, it is mandatory for the top three drivers to attend the event. Article 6.6 states that \u201cdrivers finishing first, second and third in the championship must be present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hamilton paid a fine in 2021 for not attending after being controversially denied the world championship in the final race of the year. He was not present in 2022 having not finished in the top three in that year\u2019s leaderboard.<\/p>\n
Should the Mercedes star fail to turn up this year, he could face a repeat of the punishment he was given two years ago.<\/p>\n
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Max Verstappen\u2019s dad has told his triumphant son that he must air his frustrations in a \u2018neater way\u2019 after the Dutchman\u2019s scathing criticism of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Verstappen – who won Sunday\u2019s race – was not looking forward to his first outing in Sin City, raising concerns about the track.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old also said he felt like \u2018a clown\u2019 during a glitzy opening ceremony featuring several A-list celebrities.<\/p>\n
Not one for the glamour, Verstappen was brutal in his criticism of the event. But father Jos believes it must be channelled differently<\/p>\n
“I do think he can say things, but in this case in a neater way. I told him that directly,” former F1 star Jos told De Telegraaf.<\/p>\n
Verstappen privately aired his grievance with an F1 member of staff before the race.<\/p>\n
Jos added: “Once in a while he needs that too. I also think the battery is running out a bit, with a lot of people. But that Max likes racing, you saw that today. I understand his opinion, but you can’t kick blindly at everything.”<\/p>\n
Hello and welcome to Express Sport\u2019s LIVE Formula One blog.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll have all the best and latest fallout from the Las Vegas Grand Prix right here. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n