Lando Norris Fights to Extend F1 Title Race in Las Vegas

Lando Norris vowed to fight to keep the Formula 1 drivers’ championship alive as he starts sixth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, one spot behind leader Max Verstappen. Trailing Verstappen by 62 points, Norris must outscore him by at least three points to push the championship to Qatar next week. However, Norris acknowledged the inevitability of Verstappen’s title win, saying, “Whether he wins tomorrow or not, it’s pretty likely he’ll be champion.”

George Russell claimed pole position for Mercedes edging out Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, while Charles Leclerc qualified fourth and Pierre Gasly delivered a strong performance for Alpine in third. Verstappen will start fifth while Lando Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri lines up in eighth. Lewis Hamilton, despite showing strong pace in earlier qualifying sessions dropped to 10th after making errors in the final session.

Norris admitted the car’s setup presented challenges but maintained his determination. “I will do everything I can. I’m here to do my best in every race,” he said. Verstappen acknowledged Red Bull’s struggles in Las Vegas, calling it “a bit of a surprise” to qualify ahead of the McLarens and doubting their ability to compete with Ferrari and Mercedes.

The race likely will feature a battle between Russell and the Ferraris. Russell described Mercedes’ unexpected pace as “an outlier,” crediting the circuit and conditions for their advantage. Sainz and Leclerc both expressed confidence with Sainz predicting a close fight with Russell and Leclerc aiming for a win if Ferrari executes perfectly.

Russell emphasized the race’s unpredictability, citing limited data on the medium and hard tyres and the potential for surprises. “It’s Vegas; anything can happen,” he said. Ferrari and Mercedes are gearing up for a strategic battle in what promises to be an exciting race under the lights of Sin City.