How Lando Norris could end Max Verstappen’s 2025 F1 title hopes at the Las Vegas Grand Prix

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Max Verstappen is one of three drivers still in contention for this season’s drivers’ championship, although the Dutchman could be eliminated this weekend.

The reigning world champion is 49 points behind leader Lando Norris heading into the final triple header of the season, although an impressive run since the summer break saw him keep hopes of a fifth title alive.

Although it has looked possible in the previous couple of races, Verstappen’s chances are now beginning to slim, with just three races left this year.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix could see the Red Bull drivers’ chances of another consecutive world championship officially over.

Read More: Max Verstappen sees clear reason why 2025 is ‘positive’ if Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri wins title

How Max Verstappen has rejoined the 2025 title fight since Zandvoort

Verstappen trailed the then-championship leader Oscar Piastri by 97 points heading into the summer break at the start of August, although this was extended to 104 following the Dutch Grand Prix.

Piastri won the race around Zandvoort after a dominant weekend, during which he claimed pole position and the fastest lap.

In the next five races heading towards the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen chased down the McLaren duo, taking three victories at the Italian, Azerbaijan and United States grands prix.

Norris reclaimed the championship lead from Piastri after a victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, with Verstappen’s third-place finish seeing the gap closed to just 36 points.

The Dutchman’s hopes took a significant knock at Interlagos when Norris dominated the race in Sao Paulo, which saw the Brit claim victories in the sprint and main race and extend his lead from Verstappen to 49 points.

Max Verstappen needs Vegas win to stay in title fight

This weekend could prove pivotal for Verstappen if he wins, as if he ties with Norris at the final race of the season then he could still snatch the title from the Brit.

F1 regulations state that if the championship ends in a points tie, then the winner will be decided on most race wins.

If this number is also matched, then the FIA will work down the other positions’ results, such as second-place finishes, then third-place finishes, until it can be decided.

Norris and Piastri currently have the most wins in 2025 with seven apiece, but Verstappen is just two victories behind with five.

If Verstappen can win the next three races, then he could leapfrog Norris for the most wins, however, if the Brit is victorious at just one race then the Dutchman can forget the potential regulation-aided victory.

How Lando Norris can dash Max Verstappen’s title hopes in Vegas

Verstappen needs to ensure that Norris does not outscore the Red Bull driver by nine points if he wants to remain in contention for the 2025 championship.

If the Dutchman trails the title leader by 58 points after the Las Vegas Grand Prix then it will be impossible for him to take his fifth consecutive drivers’ championship.

This means if Norris wins the race in Nevada and Verstappen finishes in third place or lower, then the reigning champion will be officially out.

According to Autosport, this scenario has happened six times in 2025, including at the Monaco, Austria and British grands prix, so this could still be possible this weekend in Vegas.

If Norris finishes outside of the top five at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, then Verstappen’s championship battle will continue to the next race in Qatar.