Lando Norris took a significant stride towards his first Formula 1 World Championship in Sin City, despite being beaten to the chequered flag by a relentless Max Verstappen. The Las Vegas Grand Prix saw the Dutchman claim victory, but it was Norris who left with his title ambitions substantially strengthened.
A Costly Error But A Comfortable Cushion
Starting from pole position, Norris's race began with an uncharacteristic misstep. He made an aggressive start, covering Verstappen, but braked too late into the first corner. "I f***** it up," Norris admitted candidly after the race. "I was too punchy, and it cost me." The error saw him surrender the lead and fall to third place, with Mercedes' George Russell also slipping past.
From that point, Verstappen asserted his dominance, building a lead that never looked truly threatened. The Red Bull driver appeared assured as he secured his second Las Vegas victory, adding to his win from two years prior. Norris, however, mounted a recovery. On lap 34 of 50, he executed a pass on Russell along the famous Boulevard and set off in pursuit of Verstappen.
The Championship Picture With Two Races Remaining
Despite a late charge, Norris could not close the gap to the leading Red Bull and finished the race 20 seconds adrift, later hinting at a potential car issue. The final result, however, does little to damage his championship prospects. The maths now heavily favours the British driver.
With only the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remaining, and a sprint race in Qatar offering a further eight points, the window for his rivals is closing fast. Norris now leads his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 30 points and, more crucially, holds a 42-point advantage over the chasing Verstappen. With just 58 points left in play, Norris's path to the title is clear, barring a dramatic collapse.
Podium Ceremonials and Post-Race Reactions
The top three—Verstappen, Norris, and Russell—celebrated with a unique ride in a pink Lego Cadillac to the podium at the Bellagio hotel, set against a backdrop of fireworks. Verstappen was jubilant over team radio, stating, "Great execution. Very happy, guys, well done." He later added a note of realism, saying, "After Abu Dhabi we will see where we end up."
Norris, meanwhile, remained remarkably chipper in his post-race interviews, even after being playfully admonished by David Coulthard for his swearing. His relaxed demeanour underscored the commanding position he now holds in the championship fight.
Further down the grid, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli saw a strong fourth-place finish vanish due to a five-second penalty for a jump start, promoting the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri to fourth. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished sixth, while Lewis Hamilton salvaged a single point for tenth after a poor qualifying, a small consolation for the seven-time champion.
While the race itself was largely devoid of the sparkle that characterised previous Las Vegas events, the championship narrative gained compelling clarity. Lando Norris, with a few more miles behind him, is now tantalisingly close to grasping his dream.
