Lando Norris Moves Closer to Title as Max Verstappen Secures Vegas F1 Race Win

McLaren's Lando Norris moved nearer to a maiden world title with runner-up position in the Las Vegas Grand Prix behind the Red Bull of Max Verstappen

Norris now leads teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished in fourth place behind the Mercedes of George Russell, by thirty points going into the second-to-last race in Qatar next weekend

Norris will win the title in the Qatar as long as he does not lose more than five points to Piastri in Losail, or seventeen to Verstappen

The Australian driver, so strong in the opening stages of the championship, has not finished on the top three for six consecutive events

"Max had a strong performance. I made the mistake at the beginning and was too punchy on that first turn," stated Norris

"It's still a positive outcome to secure second place. I've got to congratulate Max and Red Bull"

Following Qatar, the final race of the season takes place in Abu Dhabi on 7 December

The main developments of among Formula 1's most prestigious races were:

• Lando Norris maintained his momentum towards the championship losing the victory to Max Verstappen

• Oscar Piastri's challenging performance streak continued as his title hopes diminish

• A excellent win for Verstappen to maintain him in the championship battle

• Recoveries for the two Ferrari drivers, following a difficult qualifying session, with Lewis Hamilton claiming a single point for tenth place after starting at the rear

From the beginning, Lando Norris was true to his statement that he was "not here not to take risks" as he fought hard to defend his lead from starting first from Max Verstappen

But following an aggressive cut in front of the Red Bull driver to head off the Verstappen's attack on the inside, the McLaren driver miscalculated his braking zone and went too deep into the corner

This enabled Max Verstappen to overtake into the first place while Norris also the runner-up spot to George Russell

Through two virtual safety cars for several opening-lap incidents, including at the beginning when the Racing Bulls Liam Lawson collided with Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen slowly established dominance on the event

Russell made an early pit stop for the more durable compound, but Lando Norris and Max Verstappen remained on track

Norris stopped five circuits after the Mercedes driver and Max Verstappen ten laps later

The Red Bull driver was could rejoin still in the first place, George Russell having been unable to close in on the Red Bull car despite his fresher tyres

Lando Norris returned after Russell from his stop but after a few cautious laps to allow his tyres to settle, soon reduced his three-point-three second deficit to the Mercedes driver and overtook into second place on the thirty-fourth lap

The British driver asked his race engineer how to manage the remainder of his race, effectively asking whether he should accept second or challenge for the lead

He was told to "go and get Verstappen" but it quickly became apparent he had no chance. Max Verstappen was easily able to repel Lando's attacks, and in the final laps the gap extended substantially as the McLaren began to experience a mechanical problem which has so far remained unidentified

Even with losing nearly three seconds a circuit, Lando Norris was able to defend against George Russell because of the size of the advantage he had established while chasing Max Verstappen

The Verstappen's sixth victory of the season - only one behind both McLaren teammates - was achieved in dominant fashion and keeps him in title contention, at least theoretically, even if he needs problems for Norris in the final two events to overtake him

"It remains a big gap, we always try to maximise everything we've got," Verstappen said

"During the coming events we will try to take victory in the event and by the conclusion of Abu Dhabi we will know where we finish, but I'm very proud of everyone"

Piastri began in fifth but lost two places on the first circuit after being hit by Liam Lawson, who was soon taken out of the battle by a damaged front wing

He trailed Lawson's team-mate Isack Hadjar for the first 15 laps before passing him on the Las Vegas Strip but lost out to Leclerc, who he was could overtake again during the pit-stop period

Piastri ended up after the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli, who competed almost the whole event on the durable compound after stopping during the first virtual safety car, but was awarded a five second penalty for a starting procedure violation, which was not immediately obvious on video reviews

"It proved to be a disappointing race from essentially beginning to end in certain respects," Piastri told BBC Radio 5 Live

Questioned about how he would tackle the remaining events, he said: "Just try to position myself in the best position I can. I clearly need several of factors to go my way at this stage to win, but all I can do is ensure I'm in the best position to capitalise if circumstances change"

Charles Leclerc held on in sixth position, insufficiently close to benefit from Antonelli's penalty, while Carlos Sainz fell to seventh place at the flag, his Williams car lacking the speed to compete with the leading outfits in the dry conditions, after his impressive showing to start third in the wet weather

Hadjar took eighth place ahead of Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg and Lewis Hamilton

The seven-time title winner executed a flying start, rising to 13th on the opening circuit and continued to advance positions

He became trapped in a slipstream group with a group of additional vehicles but was able to employ his strong beginning to salvage a point following the poorest qualifying performance of his racing life