Title battle headed Abu Dhabi's way

VERSTAPPEN CATCHES UP AFTER LAS VEGAS DRAMA

- BY JAYDIP SENGUPTA

It is as if the Formula 1 title race is destined to be decided at the Yas Marina Circuit.

With McLaren's Lando Norris having finished second behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen at the Las Vegas Grand Prix yesterday and ready to head into the final two race weekends in Qatar and Abu Dhabi with a 30-point lead over his closest rival and teammate Oscar Piastri and a commanding 42-point lead over Verstappen with just 58 points up for grabs, the British driver must have been licking his lips in anticipation of celebrating his maiden F1 title sooner rather than later.

But three hours after the race concluded, the FIA summoned McLaren to see the stewards for technical infringements.

MCLAREN BOSS APOLOGISES TO NORRIS, PIASTRI

McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella offered a forthright apology to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri who were both disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for technical infringements. "We apologise to Lando and Oscar for the loss of points today, at a critical time in their championship campaigns after two strong performances from them all weekend," said Stella in a McLaren statement.