Lando Norris is poised for an intense battle against Max Verstappen at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, maintaining his willingness to take risks even as he stands on the brink of his first F1 world title. Norris achieved his third consecutive pole position with a last-minute effort that edged out Verstappen during a wet qualifying session, while McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri qualified fifth.
Currently, Norris holds a 24-point lead over Piastri and a 49-point advantage over Verstappen in the Drivers’ Championship, with only three races and one Sprint remaining in the season. A win for Norris on Sunday could extend his lead to at least 31 points, positioning him well to potentially secure the championship at next weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
Despite his advantageous lead, Norris acknowledges the threat presented by Verstappen, who has less to lose and could be aggressive right from the start. “Max has been quick. I wouldn’t expect anything less than that,” Norris commented, emphasizing his determination to win. “I still want to go out and win tomorrow, so I’ll be making sure I can do everything that I can.”
Leading up to the race, both Norris and Piastri had not previously qualified in the top five in Las Vegas, with the team facing challenges in colder conditions. Norris admitted expectations were low going into the weekend but noted that the car’s performance has improved compared to last year, when he finished sixth.
Looking ahead, Norris reflected on the unpredictability of the race, saying there could still be issues despite the team’s confidence. “We want to win tomorrow. That’s the goal but it won’t be an easy one.”
For Verstappen, the stakes are high as he needs to outscore Norris by at least nine points to keep his title defense alive. He recently showcased remarkable race pace in São Paulo but acknowledges that Las Vegas presents a different challenge. Changes made to his car after practice are aimed at enhancing performance during the race.
Piastri, for his part, is under pressure to recover after a disappointing qualifying result. He has struggled to match Norris’s performance in recent races and needs to make significant gains to remain competitive.
Meanwhile, George Russell, last year’s Las Vegas winner, faced power steering issues during qualifying, which prevented him from challenging for pole. However, he remains optimistic about Mercedes’ competitiveness in the race, highlighting the tight margins between the top teams.
Carlos Sainz from Ferrari is also a contender to watch after qualifying third, aiming to hold his position against the faster cars behind him. “I just try not to make mistakes and see if I can make myself as wide as possible,” he said, reinforcing the excitement surrounding the race.
As Sunday approaches, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an exhilarating Las Vegas Grand Prix, pivotal not just for Norris and Verstappen, but for the championship landscape as a whole.