Juan Pablo Montoya outlines Las Vegas scenario that would make things ‘complicated’ for Lando Norris

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Lando Norris only needs to be outscored by Max Verstappen at the next race in Las Vegas for the Red Bull driver to win his fourth title.

It has been an unexpectedly close title race between the pair this year, with Norris winning three races after McLaren produced a car that was good enough to challenge Red Bull on merit early in the season.

Red Bull has been playing catch-up at the last few rounds after identifying a weakness in their floor design that was holding them back, with Verstappen resorting to questionable driving tactics that have earned him penalties from the stewards to keep Norris behind.

A stunning drive in the wet around Interlagos from P17 on the grid to victory was enough to convince everyone that Verstappen means business with three races left, and now Norris must try to reduce the 62-point gap if he wants to have any chance of winning the title.

Juan Pablo Montoya has outlined one scenario that could impact Norris’ chances at the next race in Las Vegas when speaking on W Radio Columbia.

Juan Pablo Montoya outlines one scenario in Las Vegas that could impact Lando Norris

Norris heads into the race in Las Vegas with a shot at winning given McLaren’s recent form, but the team is likely also thinking about its chances in the Constructors’ Championship.

With that in mind, Ferrari’s uptake in form will worry them and could throw up an unwanted scenario according to Montoya.

“Vegas should be a very good track for Ferrari based on how they were in Mexico and Austin. I could be a very, very good track for them,” said Montoya.

“So if Ferrari wins and Lando is third or fourth it will be complicated because Max is going to be there and only needs three points.”

How can Max Verstappen win the Drivers’ title in Las Vegas?

Verstappen’s amazing victory at the Sao Paulo GP means he is now 62 points ahead in the Drivers’ Championship.

With a maximum of 86 points left across three race weekends, including one Sprint race (Qatar), a maximum of 26 points can be scored plus an extra eight in Qatar.

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If Verstappen finishes the race 60 points or more clear of Norris in the standings, he will clinch his fourth title. Verstappen can also win if he is not outscored by Norris by more than two points.

So if he finishes ahead of Norris in any position, he will win the title. If they both fail to score, the Red Bull driver would also end the weekend as a four-time world champion.