Lando Norris Moves Nearer to Championship as Max Verstappen Claims Vegas F1 Race Victory

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

Norris now leads fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who ended up fourth after the Mercedes of George Russell, by 30 points heading to the penultimate race in Qatar this coming weekend

The Briton will win the title in the desert as long as he does not lose more than five points to Piastri in Losail, or 17 to Verstappen

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

"Max had a good race. I erred early on and was too punchy on that first turn," stated Norris

"It remains a positive outcome to get second place. I've got to congratulate Verstappen and Red Bull"

After Qatar, the final race of the season follows in Abu Dhabi on December 7th

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

• Norris maintained his progress towards the championship despite the win to Verstappen

• Oscar Piastri's challenging run of form persisted as his title hopes wane

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

• Recoveries for both Ferrari drivers, following a tough qualifying session, with Lewis Hamilton claiming a point for tenth place after beginning at the rear

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

However after an aggressive cut in front of Verstappen to block the Dutchman's challenge on the inside, Norris misjudged his braking zone and went too deep into the corner

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

Through two VSC periods for several opening-lap incidents, including at the start when the Racing Bulls Liam Lawson collided with Piastri, Verstappen gradually established dominance on the event

George Russell undertook an early pit stop for the more durable compound, but Norris and Verstappen remained on track

Norris stopped five circuits following the Mercedes driver and Verstappen 10

The Red Bull driver was could return still in the first place, George Russell having been failed to catch up on the Red Bull car even with his newer rubber

Lando Norris rejoined behind George Russell from his pit stop but following a several careful circuits to let his tyres to settle, soon reduced his three-point-three second gap to the Mercedes and overtook into runner-up position on lap 34

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

He was instructed to "go and get Verstappen" but it soon became clear he had little opportunity. Max Verstappen was easily able to defend against Lando's attacks, and in the final laps the gap increased substantially as the McLaren began to experience a mechanical problem which has so far remained unidentified

Even with losing almost three seconds a circuit, Norris was could hold off George Russell because of the size of the lead he had established while chasing Verstappen

The Red Bull driver's sixth victory of the season - only one behind the two McLaren drivers - was taken in emphatic style and maintains him in championship contention, at minimum mathematically, although he needs problems for Lando Norris in both remaining races to pass him

"It's still a significant margin, we consistently attempt to maximise everything we've got," Max Verstappen said

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

Piastri started fifth but lost two places on the first circuit after being clouted by Liam Lawson, who was soon eliminated of the battle by a damaged front wing

He trailed Lawson's teammate Isack Hadjar for the opening fifteen circuits before passing him on the Las Vegas Strip but lost out to Charles Leclerc, who he was able to repass during the tire change phase

Piastri ended up behind the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli, who competed nearly the entire race on hard tyres following stopping during the initial VSC, but was awarded a five-second penalty for a starting procedure violation, which was not immediately obvious on replays

"It proved to be a disappointing event from essentially beginning to end in certain respects," Piastri told race broadcasters

Questioned about how he would tackle the final two races, he commented: "Simply try to put myself in the optimal situation I can. I clearly need several of things to go my way at this stage to win, but all I can do is ensure I'm in the best position to take advantage if circumstances change"

Leclerc hung on in sixth position, not close enough to gain from Kimi Antonelli's time penalty, while Sainz dropped to seventh place at the finish, his Williams car missing the pace to compete with the leading outfits in the dry conditions, after his heroic showing to start third in the wet

Isack Hadjar secured eighth before the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg and Hamilton

The seven-time title winner made a strong getaway, up to 13th on the first lap and continued to move forwards

He became trapped in a slipstream group with a bunch of other cars but was could use his electric start to salvage a point after the poorest qualifying performance of his racing life