Norris Advances Nearer to Title as Max Verstappen Claims Vegas Grand Prix Victory

McLaren's Lando Norris stepped nearer to a maiden championship 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 in fourth place behind the Mercedes of George Russell, by thirty points heading to the second-to-last race in Qatar next weekend

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

Piastri, so impressive in the first half of the championship, has failed to finish on the podium for six consecutive events

"Verstappen had a good race. I erred early on and was too punchy on that first turn," said Norris

"It's still a good result to secure second place. I've got to praise Max and Red Bull"

Following Qatar, the final race of the season follows in Abu Dhabi on 7 December

The key stories of among Formula 1's most high-profile races included:

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

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

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

• Fightbacks for both Ferrari drivers, after a tough qualifying session, with Lewis Hamilton securing a single point for 10th following starting at the rear

From the beginning, Norris was faithful to his claim that he was "not present not to take risks" as he battled aggressively to protect his advantage from pole position from Max Verstappen

But after an aggressive move in front of Verstappen to head off the Dutchman's attack on the inside, Norris misjudged his braking point and went too deep into the corner

That enabled Max Verstappen to drive past into the lead while the British driver lost second place to Russell

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

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

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

Verstappen was able to return still in the lead, Russell having been failed to catch up on the Red Bull car even with his newer rubber

Norris returned after George Russell from his stop but following a several careful circuits to let his tyres to settle, soon reduced his 3.3-second deficit to the Mercedes driver and swept by into second place on lap 34

The British driver inquired his race engineer how to manage 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 able to defend against Norris' challenges, and in the final laps the margin increased significantly as the McLaren began to experience a technical issue which has so far not been defined

Despite dropping almost three seconds a lap, Lando Norris was could hold off George Russell because of the extent of the lead he had built while chasing Max Verstappen

The Verstappen's sixth win of the season - only one behind both McLaren drivers - was taken in emphatic style and keeps him in championship contention, at least mathematically, even if he requires issues for Norris in both remaining races to pass him

"It remains a significant margin, we consistently attempt to optimize all we've got," Verstappen stated

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

Oscar Piastri began in fifth but lost two places on the first circuit after being hit by Liam Lawson, who was soon eliminated of contention by a damaged front wing

He trailed 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 able to overtake again during the pit-stop period

The Australian ended up behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who competed almost the entire race on hard tyres after pitting during the initial VSC, but was awarded a five second penalty for a start-line violation, which was not clearly visible on replays

"It proved to be a frustrating event from essentially start to finish in some ways," Oscar Piastri told BBC Radio 5 Live

Asked about how he would approach the final two races, he said: "Just try to position myself in the optimal situation I can. I obviously need several of factors to go my way now to take the title, but my only option is ensure I'm in the best position to capitalise if circumstances change"

Charles Leclerc held on in sixth position, not close enough to benefit 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 leading outfits in the dry conditions, after his impressive showing to start third in the wet weather

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

The seven-time title winner executed a strong getaway, up to thirteenth on the first lap and proceeded to move forwards

He became trapped in a DRS train with a group of other cars but was able to employ his strong beginning to salvage a point after the worst qualifying performance of his career