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Amid the hype around the Las Vegas Grand Prix, McLaren's lead driver is keeping a calm demeanor about his chances of securing his first world title.

Norris currently holds a two-dozen point lead over fellow McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and leads Max Verstappen by 49 points, with only up to 83 points up for grabs across the remaining trio of races. However, after staging a extraordinary comeback from a significant deficit Piastri following the Dutch Grand Prix in the summer, Norris is focused on performing with the methodical approach that lifted him to the lead of the standings.

"It can easily go in the other direction once more even though I hope it doesn't," he commented. "That's motorsport, as we all know. Sometimes you get lucky. Other times you end up unfortunate. No matter what happens. It's not worth becoming overjoyed or dwelling on it. I continue to view it as a goal that remains far away."

Norris has discovered his peak performance at a crucial juncture—having struggled with the vehicle in the first part of the season—at the same time that Piastri has lost the controlled, almost perfect composure that previously made him appear to be a champion in waiting. Importantly, Norris kept a impressive level of composure all along, asserting despite setbacks—like his retirement from the Zandvoort race—that he would adhere to his strategy and approach each session with the same unwavering attention to detail. This approach has yielded results.

Meanwhile, the team have worked hard to attempt to preserve a level playing field for their pair of racers, and it has on occasion been a rather difficult process, especially at Monza when the team directed the Australian to cede second place to his teammate after he had lost the spot due to a delayed tire change. Certain spectators were unhappy with what was considered McLaren unnecessarily interfering with their competitors.

Norris has won the previous pair of grands prix, in Mexico City and Brazil, and was jeered on the podium at both, leaving him unmoved. "Once you are on top, a lot of individuals want to bring you down. They don't like seeing you winning. I see it as a positive sign," he said.

"It amuses me. While standing on the winner's stage in Interlagos, I really loved it. The experience was very enjoyable. You finally feel like you're doing something right.

"It doesn't bother me, provided that I come out on top. As long as I feel like I am competing the correct way, which I feel like that's the case, so long as I am confident I'm putting hard work into remaining true to myself and similar principles, then I'm not too fussed about external opinions."

Las Vegas, on the other hand, needs to be conquered, and it is not a track ideal for the British team. The layout has characteristics with Canada and Azerbaijan: minimal aerodynamic grip, chilly conditions, and low grip. These are the sole pair of tracks this season where the papaya squad have been unable to secure at least one podium place, and Norris was circumspect once more about their chances this weekend. Still, his task in the short term is simple: finish in front of Piastri and the points he needs will come.

Practice Sees Varied Results for Title Rivals

Charles Leclerc topped the times in FP1 on what was remained a dusty and very slippery surface. The Williams racer was runner-up, with Verstappen fourth, the McLaren ace in P6, and the Australian in eighth. In the more representative night running of second practice, Norris was quickest from the Silver Arrows of Kimi Antonelli, with his teammate 14th; however, the session was interrupted for nearly the last third of track time to check a suspected unsecured manhole cover at turn 17.

The issue is treated with caution on a temporary track where, at the inaugural Las Vegas GP staged in 2023, a dislodged drain cover smashed into Carlos Sainz's Ferrari, severely damaging it and causing the session to be ended.

The German Team Confirm Stake Transaction

The eight-time constructors' champions have confirmed that their team principal Toto Wolff has divested a 15% stake in his holding company, equating to a 5% share in the squad, to American billionaire the cybersecurity magnate. The investor is the CEO and founder of the digital protection firm CrowdStrike. The team principal will stay on as team principal and may receive up to £230m from the sale, with Mercedes having been valued at £4.57bn, a record for an Formula 1 constructor.