Lando Norris Edges Closer to Championship as Verstappen Takes Vegas Grand Prix Victory

The McLaren Lando Norris moved nearer to his first world title with runner-up position in the Las Vegas Grand Prix following the Red Bull of Max Verstappen

The British driver currently heads teammate Oscar Piastri, who ended up in fourth place after Mercedes' George Russell, by 30 points going into the second-to-last race in Qatar next weekend

Norris will secure the championship in the desert as long as he does not lose more than five points to Piastri in Losail, or seventeen to Verstappen

The Australian driver, so strong in the opening stages of the season, has not finished on the podium for six consecutive events

"Verstappen had a strong performance. I erred early on and was too punchy on that opening corner," said Norris

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

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

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

• Lando Norris maintained his progress towards the championship losing the victory to Max Verstappen

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

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

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

At the start, Lando Norris was true to his claim that he was "not present to avoid risks" as he fought hard to defend his lead from pole position from Verstappen

However following an aggressive move in front of Verstappen to head off the Dutchman's attack on the inside, the McLaren driver misjudged his braking point and went too deep into the turn

This enabled Verstappen to overtake into the lead while Norris also second place to Russell

Through two virtual safety cars for several opening-lap incidents, featuring at the beginning when the Racing Bulls Liam Lawson collided with Piastri, Verstappen gradually established dominance on the event

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

The McLaren driver pitted five laps after the Mercedes and Verstappen ten laps later

Verstappen was able to rejoin still in the first place, George Russell having been unable to close in on the Red Bull car even with his newer rubber

Lando Norris returned behind George Russell from his pit stop but following a few cautious laps to allow his tyres to warm up, soon reduced his 3.3-second deficit to the Mercedes and overtook into second place on the thirty-fourth lap

Norris inquired his engineer how to manage the remainder of his event, effectively asking whether he should settle for second or attack

He was instructed to "go and get Verstappen" but it quickly became apparent he had no chance. Verstappen was easily could defend against Norris' challenges, and in the closing stages the gap increased substantially as the McLaren began to suffer a technical issue which has so far not been defined

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

The Verstappen's sixth win of the championship - only one less than the two McLaren teammates - was achieved in dominant fashion and keeps him in championship contention, at least theoretically, although he needs problems for Lando Norris in the final two events to pass him

"It remains a significant margin, we always try to optimize everything we've got," Verstappen stated

"In upcoming weekends we will attempt to take victory in the race and by the conclusion of Abu Dhabi we will know where we finish, but I'm extremely pleased of everyone"

Piastri started fifth but lost two places on the opening lap following being clouted by Liam Lawson, who was quickly eliminated of the battle by a damaged nose section

He trailed Liam Lawson's team-mate Isack Hadjar for the first 15 laps before passing him on the Strip but also out to Charles Leclerc, who he was could overtake again during the pit-stop period

Piastri ended up after Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who competed almost the entire race on the durable compound 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 start to finish in certain respects," Piastri informed BBC Radio 5 Live

Questioned about how he would tackle the final two races, he commented: "Simply attempt to position 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 make myself in the ideal situation to capitalise if something happens"

Charles Leclerc hung on in sixth place, insufficiently close to gain from Antonelli's time penalty, while Carlos Sainz dropped to seventh at the flag, his Williams car missing the speed to challenge with the top teams in the dry conditions, following his heroic showing to start third in the wet

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

The seven-time champion made a flying start, up to thirteenth on the first lap and proceeded to move forwards

He got stuck in a DRS train with a group of other cars but was could employ his electric start to rescue a championship point after the poorest qualifying performance of his career