Lando Norris Moves Closer to Championship as Max Verstappen Claims Vegas Grand Prix Win

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

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

The Briton will claim the championship in the desert as long as he does not lose over five points to Piastri in Losail, or seventeen to Verstappen

The Australian driver, so strong in the first half of the championship, has not finished on the top three for six races

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

"It's still a good result to get second. I've got to congratulate Max and Red Bull"

Following Qatar, the final race 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 progress towards the title despite the win to Verstappen

• Oscar Piastri's challenging performance streak continued as his championship chances wane

• A excellent win for Max Verstappen to maintain him in the title fight

• Recoveries for the two Ferrari drivers, following a difficult qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton securing a single point for 10th following starting at the rear

At the start, Norris was faithful to his claim that he was "not here not to take risks" as he fought hard to defend his lead from pole position from Max Verstappen

However after an aggressive cut in front of Verstappen to head off the Verstappen's challenge on the inside, Norris misjudged his braking zone and ran deep into the corner

That allowed Verstappen to overtake into the lead while Norris lost the runner-up spot to Russell

Through two virtual safety cars for several opening-lap incidents, including at the start when the Racing Bulls Liam Lawson made contact with Piastri, Max Verstappen gradually stamped his authority on the race

Russell undertook an early pit stop for the hard tyres, but Norris and Verstappen stayed out

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

Verstappen was could rejoin still in the lead, Russell having been unable to catch up on the Red Bull car even with his newer rubber

Norris returned after Russell from his pit stop but following a several careful circuits to allow his tyres to settle, quickly reduced his 3.3-second gap to the Mercedes and swept by into runner-up position on lap 34

Norris asked his race engineer how to manage the rest of his event, effectively asking whether he should settle for second place or attack

He was told to "go and get Verstappen" but it soon became clear he had no chance. Verstappen was readily could repel Lando's attacks, and in the closing stages the gap extended significantly as the McLaren started to experience a mechanical problem which has so far remained unidentified

Despite dropping nearly three seconds a lap, Norris was could defend against George Russell because of the size of the advantage he had established while pursuing Max Verstappen

The Red Bull driver's sixth victory of the championship - only one less than both McLaren teammates - was taken in dominant fashion and maintains him in title contention, at minimum mathematically, although he needs problems for 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 stated

"During the coming events we will attempt to take victory in the race and by the conclusion of Abu Dhabi we will know where we end up, but I'm very proud of the entire team"

Oscar Piastri started fifth but lost two positions on the first circuit after being hit by Liam Lawson, who was quickly taken out of contention by a damaged nose section

He followed Liam Lawson's teammate Isack Hadjar for the first 15 laps before overtaking him on the Las Vegas Strip but also out to Leclerc, who he was could repass during the pit-stop period

The Australian ended up behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who competed nearly the entire race on hard tyres after stopping during the first virtual safety car, but was given a five second time penalty for a starting procedure violation, which was not immediately obvious on video reviews

"It proved to be a frustrating event from essentially start to finish in some ways," Oscar Piastri told race broadcasters

Questioned about how he would tackle the remaining events, he commented: "Just attempt to put myself in the best position I can. I clearly require several of things to favor me now to take the title, but all I can do is make myself in the ideal situation to capitalise if something happens"

Charles Leclerc hung on in sixth place, not close enough to gain from Kimi Antonelli's penalty, while Carlos Sainz dropped to seventh place at the flag, his Williams car missing the speed to challenge with the top teams in the dry conditions, following his impressive showing to start in third in the wet weather

Hadjar secured eighth before Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg and Hamilton

The seven-time champion made a strong getaway, rising to thirteenth on the first lap and proceeded to advance positions

He got stuck in a slipstream group with a bunch of other cars but was could use his electric start to salvage a championship point following the poorest qualifying performance of his racing life