Norris Advances Nearer to Title as Max Verstappen Claims Vegas F1 Race Victory

McLaren's Lando Norris moved closer to a maiden world title with second place in the Las Vegas Grand Prix following the Red Bull of Max Verstappen

The British driver now leads fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who ended up in fourth place behind Mercedes' George Russell, by thirty points heading to the second-to-last race in Qatar this coming weekend

Norris will win the title in the desert as long as he doesn't surrender over five points to Piastri in Losail, or seventeen to Verstappen

Piastri, so impressive in the first half of the championship, has not finished on the podium for six consecutive events

"Max had a good race. I erred at the beginning and was too punchy on that first turn," said Norris

"It's still a positive outcome to get second. I've got to praise Verstappen and Red Bull"

Following Qatar, the last event of the championship takes place in Abu Dhabi on 7 December

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

• Norris maintained his progress towards the title despite the victory to Verstappen

• Oscar Piastri's difficult performance streak persisted as his title hopes diminish

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

• Fightbacks for the two Ferrari drivers, following a tough qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton claiming a point for tenth place after beginning at the back

From the beginning, Norris was true to his statement that he was "not present to avoid risks" as he fought hard to defend his lead from pole position from Verstappen

However following an forceful 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 ran deep into the turn

This enabled Max Verstappen to drive past into the lead while Norris lost the runner-up spot to George Russell

During two virtual safety cars for some early incidents, including at the start when the Racing Bulls Liam Lawson made contact with Oscar Piastri, Verstappen slowly established dominance on the event

George Russell undertook an early tire change for the hard tyres, but Norris and Verstappen remained on track

Norris pitted five laps after the Mercedes driver and Verstappen ten laps later

Verstappen was able to rejoin still in the lead, Russell having been unable to close in on the Red Bull even with his fresher tyres

Lando Norris returned after Russell from his pit stop but following a several careful circuits to let his tyres to warm up, quickly closed his 3.3-second deficit to the Mercedes and overtook into runner-up position on lap 34

The British driver inquired his engineer how to run the rest of his event, effectively questioning whether he should settle for second or challenge for the lead

He was told to "chase down Max" but it soon became clear he had no chance. Max Verstappen was readily could defend against Norris' challenges, and in the final laps the margin increased significantly as the McLaren started to suffer a mechanical problem which has thus far remained unidentified

Even with dropping nearly three seconds a circuit, Lando Norris was could defend against George Russell because of the extent of the advantage he had built while chasing Verstappen

The Verstappen's sixth victory of the championship - only one less than both McLaren drivers - was taken in emphatic style and keeps him in championship contention, at least theoretically, even if he needs problems for Lando Norris in both remaining races to pass him

"It's still a big gap, we consistently attempt to maximise everything we've have," Max Verstappen said

"In upcoming weekends we will try to take victory in the race and at the end of Abu Dhabi we will see where we end up, but I'm very proud of the entire team"

Oscar Piastri began in fifth but lost two positions on the opening lap after being hit by Lawson, who was soon taken out of the battle by a damaged nose section

He trailed Liam Lawson's team-mate Isack Hadjar for the opening fifteen circuits before passing him on the Las Vegas Strip but also out to Charles Leclerc, who he was could repass during the tire change phase

The Australian ended up behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who competed almost the whole event on hard tyres after stopping during the first virtual safety car, but was given a five second time penalty for a starting procedure infringement, which was not immediately obvious on replays

"It was a frustrating race from pretty much start to finish in certain respects," Piastri informed race broadcasters

Questioned about how he would tackle the final two races, he commented: "Simply attempt to position myself in the optimal situation I can. I obviously need several of factors to favor me now to take the title, but my only option is ensure I'm in the best position to capitalise if something happens"

Charles Leclerc hung on in sixth position, insufficiently close to benefit from Antonelli's time penalty, while Sainz fell to seventh at the finish, his Williams missing the speed to challenge with the leading outfits in the dry conditions, after his impressive performance to start third in the wet

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

The seven-time champion made a flying start, rising to 13th on the opening circuit and proceeded to move forwards

He became trapped in a DRS train with a bunch of other cars but was could employ his electric start to salvage a championship point following the poorest qualifying session of his career