Tom Olver
Published November 23, 2025 8:05am
Updated November 23, 2025 8:23am
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Championship leader Lando Norris finished second behind Max Verstappen in Las Vegas (Picture: Getty)
Lando Norris moved a step closer to winning his first Formula 1 world title after finishing second in an absorbing Las Vegas Grand Prix to increase his championship lead.
Max Verstappen overtook Norris at the first corner and produced a dominant and nerveless display to triumph in Nevada, a result that ensures the Red Bull driver remains mathematically in the hunt with just two races remaining of the season.
But while Verstappen managed to close the gap at the top of the standings on second-placed Oscar Piastri, who had to settle for fourth in Las Vegas, the latter remains 12 points better off than the Dutch remaining champion.
Norris, having started on pole, crossed the line in second, to ensure he came away with a 42-point advantage over Verstappen and a 30-point lead over McLaren team-mate Piastri at the top heading into the Qatar Grand Prix.
Next weekend’s eagerly anticipated showpiece in Qatar is the penultimate event of the F1 season. The action will draw to a close seven days later in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking shortly after Sunday’s race in Las Vegas, Norris admitted his surrendering of first place to Verstappen on Turn One ultimately ‘cost’ him the win.
‘I made the mistake into Turn One. You’ve got to be punchy into Turn One, I was just a bit too punchy,’ the 26-year-old told reporters.
Verstappen came out on top in Nevada (Picture: Getty)
Norris started on pole but had to settle for second (Picture: Getty)
‘That cost me, so that’s the way it is sometimes.’
Norris, though, was not overly hard on himself considering he managed to podium for an 18th time this season.
‘It’s still a good result, second, and still good points so it’s not like I’m too disappointed,’ he added.
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What does Lando Norris need to win the F1 championship?
Despite his post-race comments, Norris may have left the track wondering whether he could – or perhaps should – have further tightened his grip on top spot by successfully converting his pole position into maximum points.
But Norris will know he can wrap up the world title in Qatar next weekend to become only the 11th champion from Great Britain.
The McLaren driver will secure victory in the championship with a race to spare as long as he leaves the Lusail International Circuit with a lead of 26 points or more.
Norris can secure the world title in Qatar (Picture: Getty)
No doubt with one eye already on Qatar, Norris said he would be holding a review of his ‘poor performance’ in Las Vegas to determine where there could be room for improvement.
‘I hate losing and we want to win as a team,’ he said.
‘Today was a pretty poor performance from our side so we’ll review and see what we can do better next time.’
F1 standings after Las Vegas Grand Prix
Top of the F1 standings
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 408 points (7 wins, 18 podiums)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 378 points (7 wins, 14 podiums)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 366 points (6 wins, 13 podiums)
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 291 points (2 wins, 9 podiums)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 222 points (0 wins, 7 podiums)
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Up Next
Previous Page Next PageF1 points scoring system
In the F1 points scoring system, the top 10 finishers in each Grand Prix earn points from 25 (for first place) down to one (for tenth place).
In a Sprint Race, points are handed out to those drivers that finish in the top eight, from eight down to one.
As of 2025, a fastest lap point is no longer awarded. Half points can be awarded awarded if a race is forced to be shortened.
When is the Qatar Grand Prix and how to watch?
Norris is aiming to become the 11th British world champion (Picture: Getty)
Ket times and dates (GMT)
November 28: Practice 1 (13:30 – 14:30)
November 28: Sprint Qualifying (17:30 – 18:14)
November 29: Sprint (14:00 – 15:00)
November 29: Qualifying (18:00 – 19:00)
November 30: Race (16:00)
The F1 season is broadcast in the UK on both Sky Sports and Channel 4.
Sky Sports airs the races, plus practice rounds and qualifying, live, while free-to-air Channel 4 shows highlights of each race following the day’s action.
Viewers with Sky Sports as part of their TV packagecan stream the race via its app. The F1 season is also available with unlimited Sky Sports on a Now TV membership.
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