The Briton boasts a 24-point lead within the drivers’ standings over teammate Oscar Piastri
Lando Norris can not safe the world championship crown this weekend, however he might finish the title defence of Max Verstappen. Picture: AFP
LAS VEGAS:
Lando Norris arrives in Las Vegas this week stuffed with confidence after back-to-back wins and in command of the Formulation One world championship race as he eyes a maiden title.
The Briton boasts a 24-point lead within the drivers’ standings over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri heading into Sunday’s race after a exceptional turnaround in type.
Australian Piastri, who was 34 factors clear after profitable the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31, has did not even publish a podium end previously 5 races.
Norris has discovered consistency on the proper time, following up his victory from pole place in Mexico with a dash success and one other race win from the entrance of the grid in Sao Paulo final outing.
Nobody has did not convert as large a lead as Norris at present holds with three races left in a season because the points-scoring system was modified in 2010.
However the 26-year-old will not be taking something as a right but.
“They’re simply sturdy outcomes, which is strictly what I want, precisely what I am preventing for each single weekend and day-after-day,” he mentioned in Brazil.
“So simply more than happy, however it’s nonetheless a protracted approach to go. So no level getting too pleased or excited simply but.”
Norris can not safe the world championship crown this weekend however he might finish the title defence of Max Verstappen.
The four-time defending champion charged again into competition however is now 49 factors adrift regardless of an exhilarating drive to complete third two weeks in the past, having began the race from the pit-lane.
Verstappen is unlikely to go down with no struggle, however a Norris win would formally finish his hopes if he finishes third or decrease in Vegas.
“We have to be real looking. Over the entire season, we have not been ok, however we are going to carry on attempting to win races and see what occurs,” mentioned the Dutchman.
Piastri has little margin for error
Piastri nonetheless poses the most important risk to Norris’ bid to develop into Britain’s eleventh F1 world champion.
He confirmed indicators of rediscovering his tempo in Sao Paulo however was finally undone by a controversial 10-second penalty.
Even Charles Leclerc, who was compelled to retire as a result of incident in query, expressed sympathy for Piastri who ended the race in fifth place when at the least a podium had been on the playing cards.
Piastri, who like Norris has seven wins this season, nonetheless has time to catch his teammate however must make inroads shortly.
After Vegas, solely race weeks in Doha, the place there may be additionally a dash, and Abu Dhabi stay.
“I will simply attempt to get essentially the most out of it as I can,” mentioned Piastri.
“I am simply attempting to get up to the mark with that and try to have one of the best weekends we will.”
Ferrari endured a disastrous race at Interlagos as each Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton failed to complete.
Hamilton described the weekend as a “nightmare” earlier than Ferrari president John Elkann advised his drivers to concentrate on driving, not speaking.
Ferrari are nonetheless within the hunt to complete second within the constructors’ standings however want a giant week in Vegas.
Mercedes are 36 factors away from fourth-placed Ferrari, with Purple Bull 4 factors nearer.
The Silver Arrows can be assured of stretching their benefit in that mini-battle, although, after notching a one-two in ‘Sin Metropolis’ final yr courtesy of George Russell and Hamilton.
