Norris Advances Nearer to Title as Max Verstappen Secures Las Vegas Grand Prix Win

The McLaren Lando Norris stepped nearer to a maiden championship with second place in the Vegas race behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen

Norris currently heads fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who ended up fourth after the Mercedes of George Russell, by thirty points going into 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 seventeen to Verstappen

Piastri, so impressive in the opening stages of the season, has failed to finish on the top three for six races

"Verstappen had a good race. I erred early on and was overly aggressive on that opening corner," stated Norris

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

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

The main developments of one of Formula 1's most high-profile races were:

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

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

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

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

From the beginning, Norris was faithful to his claim that he was "not here to avoid risks" as he fought hard to defend his lead from pole position from Verstappen

But after an aggressive cut in front of Verstappen to block the Dutchman's challenge on the inside, Norris miscalculated his braking zone and ran deep into the turn

That allowed Max Verstappen to overtake into the first place while Norris lost second place to 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 gradually stamped his authority on the event

George Russell undertook an early pit stop for the more durable compound, but Lando Norris and Verstappen stayed out

The McLaren driver pitted five circuits following the Mercedes and Verstappen 10

Verstappen was could return still in the first place, Russell having been unable to catch up on the Red Bull car despite his newer rubber

Norris returned after Russell from his stop but after a several careful circuits to let his tyres to warm up, soon reduced his three-point-three second deficit to the Mercedes and swept by into runner-up position on lap 34

The British driver inquired his engineer how to manage the rest of his event, essentially asking whether he should accept second place or attack

He was told to "chase down Max" but it quickly became apparent he had little opportunity. Max Verstappen was easily could repel Norris' challenges, and in the final laps the margin extended substantially as the McLaren started to experience a mechanical problem which has so far remained unidentified

Despite losing almost three seconds a circuit, Norris was able to hold off George Russell because of the size of the advantage he had built while chasing Verstappen

The Red Bull driver's sixth victory of the season - only one behind both McLaren teammates - was taken in emphatic style and keeps him in championship contention, at least theoretically, even if he requires issues for Norris in the final two events to pass him

"It remains a significant margin, we consistently attempt to maximise everything we've have," Verstappen stated

"During the coming events we will attempt to take victory in the event and at the end of Abu Dhabi we will know where we end up, but I'm extremely pleased of everyone"

Oscar Piastri started in fifth but lost two positions on the first circuit following being hit by Lawson, who was soon taken out of the battle by a broken 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 position to Leclerc, who he was able to repass during the pit-stop period

The Australian ended up behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who competed almost the entire race on hard tyres after stopping 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 race from essentially beginning to end in certain respects," Oscar Piastri told BBC Radio 5 Live

Asked about how he would approach the final two races, he said: "Just attempt to put myself in the best position I can. I clearly require several of things to favor me at this stage to take the title, but my only option is make myself in the best position to capitalise if something happens"

Leclerc held on in sixth position, insufficiently close to benefit from Kimi Antonelli's penalty, while Sainz fell to seventh place at the finish, his Williams car lacking the pace to challenge with the top teams in the dry conditions, after his heroic showing to qualify in third in the wet

Isack Hadjar took eighth place ahead of the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg and Lewis Hamilton

The seven-time champion executed a flying start, up to thirteenth on the opening circuit and proceeded to advance positions

He got stuck in a DRS train with a bunch of additional vehicles but was able to employ his strong beginning to rescue a point after the poorest qualifying performance of his career