Lando Norris faces fresh Max Verstappen blow in Las Vegas as ‘penalty’ talk emerges

Lando Norris has a chance to keep his championship hopes alive in Las Vegas.

When the chequered flag drops in Las Vegas in two weeks’ time, Lando Norris will need to cut Max Verstappen’s gap down to 59 points or fewer to keep his faint World Championship hopes alive.

Norris, therefore, will need as many of his rivals as possible to take points from Verstappen in Las Vegas. Given Ferrari’s impressive performance on the streets of Sin City last season, the Scuderia could be critical to the Brit’s hopes of keeping the title fight alive, provided he ensures that he is the one on the top step of the podium.

Given the need for Norris to put as many drivers as possible between himself and Verstappen on race day in Las Vegas, it would be a disaster if a frontrunner were to take a grid penalty.

AaaUnfortunately for the McLaren man, there is a chance that Charles Leclerc – who finished second there in 2023 – could be in line for one.

Speaking to DAZN after a difficult race in Brazil last time out, Leclerc said: “We’ll take the small positive from Brazil which is that we scored a few points.

“And seeing how quick the McLarens were, to be ahead of both of them and only lose four points in the Constructors’ Championship has to be considered a pretty good day. In Las Vegas, I hope we will be very strong and not have to take a penalty there.”