LAS VEGAS.- On the asphalt of “Sin City”, the British Lando Norris This weekend he intends to take a step towards the biggest dream of his life: winning the title of world champion of the Formula 1.
The English of McLarenwho has just turned 26, comfortably leads the drivers’ championship ahead of his teammate, the Australian Oscar Piastri, and the four-time Dutch world champion, Max Verstappenof Red Bull.
Untouchable in the last two races in Mexico and Brazil, Norris arrives with full confidence in Las Vegas, United States, where the final sprint of the season will be launched with the first Grand Prix of a triptych that also includes Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the following two weeks.
“The races in Las Vegas have been difficult for the team in the past, but that doesn’t mean we won’t give everything to get the most out of the car. I feel very good and motivated. I’m ready for this last effort,” said the Briton.
With three races and a sprint race remaining on the calendar, for a total of 83 points to be played, Norris has a 24-unit advantage over Piastri and is in a privileged position to win his first F1 title.
English, cautious
A year after seeing how Verstappen, third at 49 points, was crowned on the famous Strip circuit, in the Capital of the Game, Norris could take revenge in Nevada, although, whatever happens, he will not be able to become champion this weekend.
After dominating his garage neighbor in the last six Grand Prix, the Englishman remains cautious and stated after his victory in Interlagos that he “does not think” about his first crown because “there is still a long way to go.”
Piastri, solid leader of the championship at the end of August, but who has since collapsed, cannot afford any mistakes in Las Vegas and finds himself between a rock and a hard place.
If he doesn’t beat his teammate in Saturday’s race, he will see his last chance of winning the championship reduced to virtually zero.
“I’m focusing on my performance to have a good weekend and make the most of all the opportunities that arise,” the Melbourne-born driver commented soberly.
Verstappen, with “nothing to lose”
Although you should never trust him, Verstappen now seems out of the fight for his fifth consecutive title, despite his magnificent comeback in Sao Paulo, where he finished third after starting from the pits.
Crowned for the fourth time in Las Vegas last year, “Mad Max” will look for a new good result on the streets of “Sin City” and will play his role as referee to the fullest.
“Just like in Brazil, we are not going to give up and we will try to perform at our best and keep pushing until the end, because we have nothing to lose,” he stressed.
Mercedes could also spoil the party by getting involved in the duel between the McLaren drivers: the British George Russellwinner in Las Vegas last season, should be a fearsome rival.
And the coolness expected in Nevada could help the “Silver Arrows”, who are very comfortable in these conditions during this campaign.
Ten days after being criticized by the president of Ferrari, John Elkannwho urged them to “focus on driving and talking less,” Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton They will try to regain second place in the constructors’ standings that they lost to Mercedes in Brazil.
The only two Latin American drivers on the grid, the Argentine Franco Colapinto and the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoletothey will try to pass the bitter pill drunk in the house of the legendary Ayrton Senna.
The local driver, driving Sauber, crashed on the first lap, while his Alpine pair once again finished outside the points, an area in which the Spaniards accompanied him. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Carlos Sainz Jr (Williams).
