For once in Las Vegas it will not be possible to bluff. It will be all or nothing with two possibilities: either Max Verstappen puts an end to the endless poker game for the title of Formula 1 world champion at the end of the 22nd meeting of the season, this Sunday (7:00 in France), or Lando Norris he goes all-in and manages to survive another round, heading to Qatar next weekend.
In this match the Dutchman starts with a very long lead over his evening opponent. To win his fourth consecutive title he just needs to overtake his British rival at the finish line of the Grand Prix. If he finishes behind his opponent, Verstappen would not have to give up more than two points to the McLaren driver to be crowned, while 60 points will remain to be distributed at the end of this 22nd round (out of 24) of the season.
“Quite dejected” Norris, Ferrari’s favorite?
A real match point even if the 27-year-old Red Bull driver preferred to temper it by arriving in the ”Sin City”. “It’s not because we won in the rain in Brazil that suddenly everything got better. This has put me in a good position in the championship, but I also have to be realistic that we are not the fastest yet,” he insisted.
There is no room for optimism on Norris’ part. “For a week I was quite dejected because I realized that things were now out of my control,” admitted the Briton. I’m not saying it’s gone and I won’t say it until it is, but it’s a long way from being at hand now…”
If the match seems to be decided for the drivers’ title, among the manufacturers, however, everything is still possible given that the three leading teams are separated by just 49 points. McLaren (593 points), which became the protagonist in the field in mid-September, has a 36 point advantage over Ferrari, second with 557 points, while Red Bull (544 points) completes the provisional top 3.
“We know that Las Vegas is probably the most suitable circuit for Ferrari,” Norris anticipated on Wednesday. They did well last year, and we also know that Qatar could be more favorable to us! »
Alpine wants to maintain its 6th place
Behind, fourth place seems to have been won by Mercedes (382 points), fifth by Aston Martin (86 points). Alpine, pushed to 6th place (out of 10) in the championship with 49 points thanks to a strategic winning move during the Brazilian GP, will try to maintain its position, even if it is only three points ahead of Haas (46 points) ) and five on Racing Bulls (44 points).
“We are facing an exciting fight”, rejoices its pilot Pierre Gasly. “We are leading the group at the moment, but we know that the battle ahead will be tough (…) we want to stay sixth, there is a lot of money at stake.” And what better place to win than Las Vegas?
How has the Las Vegas Grand Prix compared to other F1 races in terms of pressure and atmosphere for drivers?
Time.news Interview with F1 Expert on Title Showdown in Las Vegas
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Formula 1 expert, Sarah Thompson, to discuss the electrifying atmosphere in Las Vegas as we approach the 22nd round of the season. Sarah, the anticipation is palpable! We have Max Verstappen and Lando Norris at the forefront of the championship battle. What stands out to you about their current situation?
Sarah Thompson: Thank you for having me! What’s fascinating about this race in Las Vegas is that it really feels like a high-stakes poker game. Verstappen has a comfortable lead, and to secure his fourth consecutive title, all he needs is to finish ahead of Norris. The pressure is immense for both drivers, but especially for Lando, who is fighting for every last point.
Editor: Absolutely! Verstappen seems to have a significant advantage. But Norris has been training hard. How do you think he’s coping with the pressure of knowing it’s essentially an all-or-nothing situation?
Sarah Thompson: You’ve hit the nail on the head. Norris has been quite candid about feeling “dejected” recently. While he had a glimmer of hope after winning in Brazil, he’s realistic about McLaren not being the fastest car out there. He knows that despite his best efforts, some things are out of his control, and that’s psychologically tough for any driver.
Editor: Indeed, that mental battle is just as crucial as the physical aspect. Do you think Norris has any strategies up his sleeve that could help him turn things around in this race?
Sarah Thompson: Lando is known for his skillful driving and intelligent race strategy. He’s adaptable and certainly capable of pulling off surprises. If he can capitalize on any mistakes by Verstappen or his team, that’s his best chance. However, he also needs to maintain consistency and avoid risky maneuvers that could endanger his position.
Editor: Given the stakes, how do you see the atmosphere at this race in Las Vegas? I imagine it’s a different vibe compared to the traditional tracks.
Sarah Thompson: The Las Vegas Grand Prix is all about glitz and glamour, reflecting the city itself. The conditions can be unpredictable, and that adds an extra layer of excitement. Fans are eager and the energy is electric! That said, the track hasn’t been the friendliest to drivers historically, so strategy could play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Editor: Interesting points, and you mentioned strategy, which is a crucial element. Considering that there are still two races remaining after this one, how crucial is this particular Grand Prix for both drivers?
Sarah Thompson: This race could very well be a turning point. For Verstappen, winning would mean a solid grip on the championship, giving him more breathing room for the final two races. For Norris, it’s about keeping hope alive. He needs to go all-in to gain momentum going into Qatar. Both drivers need to treat this race as if their season hangs in the balance, and that can lead to incredible performances—or heartbreak.
Editor: It sounds like we’re in for an enthralling race! Any final thoughts or predictions you’d like to make?
Sarah Thompson: Well, in Formula 1, anything can happen! While Verstappen is the favorite, I wouldn’t count Norris out. If Lando can channel his determination and McLaren brings their A-game, we could see a surprising twist. Either way, the fans are in for a spectacular showdown!
Editor: Thank you, Sarah! We can’t wait to see how this unfolds. Good luck to both drivers, and may the best one win!
Sarah Thompson: Thank you! Exciting times ahead!