Norris Edges Nearer to Title as Verstappen Claims Las Vegas F1 Race Win

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

Norris currently heads teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished in fourth place after the Mercedes of George Russell, by thirty points heading to the second-to-last race in Qatar this coming weekend

The Briton will win the championship in the desert as long as he doesn't surrender over five points to Piastri in Losail, or 17 to Verstappen

Piastri, so strong in the opening stages of the championship, has failed to finish on the top three for six consecutive events

"Max had a good race. I made the mistake early on and was too punchy on that opening corner," said Norris

"It's still a positive outcome to secure second place. I've got to congratulate Verstappen and his team"

Following Qatar, the last event of the championship follows in Abu Dhabi on December 7th

The main developments of one of Formula 1's most prestigious races included:

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

• Piastri's difficult performance streak persisted as his championship chances wane

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

• Fightbacks for both Ferrari drivers, following a difficult qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton securing a point for tenth place following beginning at the back

At the start, Lando Norris was true to his statement that he was "not present not to take risks" as he fought hard to protect his advantage from starting first from Verstappen

However following an aggressive cut in front of Verstappen to block the Dutchman's attack on the inner line, the McLaren driver miscalculated his braking zone and ran deep into the turn

That allowed Verstappen to drive past into the first place while the British driver also the runner-up spot to George Russell

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

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

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

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

Norris returned behind Russell from his pit stop but after a few cautious laps to let his tyres to warm up, quickly reduced his 3.3-second deficit to the Mercedes driver and swept by into second place on the thirty-fourth lap

Norris inquired his engineer how to manage the rest of his event, essentially questioning whether he should accept second place or challenge for the lead

He was told to "go and get Max" but it quickly became apparent he had little opportunity. Max Verstappen was readily able to repel Norris' attacks, and in the closing stages the margin increased significantly as the McLaren began to experience a technical issue which has so far remained unidentified

Despite dropping almost three seconds a lap, Lando Norris was able to defend against Russell because of the size of the lead he had established while chasing Verstappen

The Red Bull driver's sixth win of the championship - only one behind the two McLaren teammates - was taken in emphatic style and maintains him in championship contention, at least theoretically, although he requires problems for Lando Norris in the final two events to overtake him

"It remains a big gap, we consistently attempt to optimize all we've got," Max Verstappen stated

"During the coming events we will attempt to win the race and at the end of Abu Dhabi we will see where we end up, but I'm extremely pleased of everyone"

Piastri started fifth but lost two places on the first circuit following being clouted by Liam Lawson, who was quickly taken out of contention by a broken front wing

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 after the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli, who competed nearly the entire race on the durable compound following pitting during the first virtual safety car, but was awarded a five second penalty for a starting procedure infringement, which was not immediately obvious on replays

"It was a frustrating event from essentially start to finish in certain respects," Oscar Piastri informed race broadcasters

Questioned about how he would approach the remaining events, he said: "Just try to put myself in the best position I can. I clearly require several of factors to go my way at this stage to win, but my only option is ensure I'm in the best position to take advantage if circumstances change"

Charles Leclerc held on in sixth place, not close enough to benefit from Antonelli's penalty, while Sainz dropped to seventh at the flag, his Williams lacking the speed to compete with the leading outfits in the dry conditions, following his impressive showing to start in third in the wet

Hadjar secured eighth before the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg and Hamilton

The seven-time title winner executed a flying start, rising to thirteenth on the first lap and continued to move forwards

He got stuck in a slipstream group with a group of additional vehicles but was could employ his strong beginning to rescue a championship point following the worst qualifying performance of his career