Lando Norris Moves Closer to Title as Max Verstappen Claims Las Vegas F1 Race Win

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

Norris now leads fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who ended up fourth behind Mercedes' George Russell, by 30 points heading to the penultimate race in Qatar this coming weekend

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

Piastri, so impressive in the opening stages of the season, has not finished 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 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 championship follows in Abu Dhabi on December 7th

The key stories of among Formula 1's most prestigious races were:

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

• Piastri's difficult run of form continued as his championship chances wane

• A excellent victory for Verstappen to keep him in the title fight

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

At the start, Norris was faithful to his claim that he was "not present not to take risks" as he battled aggressively to defend his advantage from starting first from Max Verstappen

However following an forceful move in front of the Red Bull driver to block the Dutchman's attack on the inner line, Norris misjudged his braking zone and ran deep into the turn

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

During two virtual safety cars for several opening-lap incidents, including at the start when the Racing Bulls Liam Lawson collided with Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen gradually established dominance on the event

George Russell undertook an early tire change for the more durable compound, but Norris and Max Verstappen remained on track

Norris stopped five circuits following the Mercedes driver and Max Verstappen ten laps later

Verstappen was able to return still in the first place, Russell having been failed to catch up on the Red Bull car despite his fresher tyres

Lando Norris rejoined behind Russell from his pit stop but after a few cautious laps to let his tires to settle, quickly reduced his 3.3-second gap to the Mercedes driver and overtook into runner-up position on the thirty-fourth lap

Norris inquired his race engineer how to run the remainder of his race, essentially questioning whether he should accept second or attack

He was instructed to "chase down Max" but it quickly became apparent he had no chance. Verstappen was easily could defend against Norris' attacks, and in the final laps the margin increased substantially as the McLaren car began to experience a technical issue which has so far remained unidentified

Despite dropping almost three seconds a lap, Norris was could defend against George Russell because of the size of the lead he had built while chasing Max Verstappen

The Verstappen's sixth victory of the championship - just one less than the two McLaren teammates - was taken in emphatic style and keeps him in title contention, at minimum mathematically, even if he needs problems for Lando Norris in the final two events to pass him

"It remains a significant margin, we always try to maximise everything we've have," Max Verstappen said

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

Piastri started fifth but dropped two positions on the first circuit following being hit by Liam Lawson, who was soon eliminated of the battle by a broken nose section

He followed Liam Lawson's teammate Isack Hadjar for the opening fifteen circuits before overtaking him on the Strip but lost position to Charles Leclerc, who he was able to repass during the pit-stop period

The Australian finished after Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who ran nearly the whole event on the durable compound following stopping during the first virtual safety car, but was given a five-second penalty for a starting procedure infringement, which was not immediately obvious on video reviews

"It was a disappointing event from pretty much start to finish in some ways," Piastri informed BBC Radio 5 Live

Asked about how he would tackle the final two races, he said: "Simply try to position myself in the best position I can. I clearly need several of factors to go my way at this stage to take the title, but my only option is ensure I'm in the best position to take advantage if circumstances change"

Charles Leclerc hung on in sixth place, insufficiently close to gain from Antonelli's penalty, while Carlos Sainz dropped to seventh place at the flag, his Williams lacking the speed to compete with the top teams in the dry conditions, following his impressive performance to qualify third in the wet

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

The seven-time title winner made a flying start, rising to thirteenth on the opening circuit and proceeded to advance positions

He got stuck in a DRS train with a group of additional vehicles but was could employ his electric start to salvage a championship point after the poorest qualifying session of his career