MAX'S REIGN COULD END ON THE STRIP

McLaren duo fighting for title aware of 4-time champ’s threat after poor Vegas race last season

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Even if he cannot win the Formula One title in Las Vegas this weekend, McLaren’s Lando Norris could end Max Verstappen’s reign on the same floodlit strip where the Red Bull driver celebrated a fourth successive crown in 2024.

If the Dutchman falls too far behind the Briton after the Saturday night spectacular, then McLaren, already constructors’ champions for a second year in a row, will be assured of both titles in the same season for the first time since 1998.

He is third overall and 49 points adrift of championship leader Norris, who makes his career 150th race start on Nov 22, with 58 remaining to be won in the last two rounds after Las Vegas.

Norris needs to stretch his lead over Verstappen by nine points to ensure the final races of the triple header — Qatar and Abu Dhabi - become a straight title duel between him and second-placed teammate Oscar Piastri, who is 24 points behind.

Australian Piastri could equally take back the overall lead if he wins and Norris fails to score.