Formula One leader Max Verstappen said he was surprised to be ahead of title challenger Lando Norris after qualifying fifth for the Las Vegas Grand Prix despite a rear wing disadvantage. Verstappen's Red Bull has been slower on the Las Vegas straights than his rivals,

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen, needing just three points over Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix to seal a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship, is suddenly in jeopardy of being denied the crown Saturday night.

Max Verstappen said the decision not to develop an ultra-low drag rear wing on the Red Bull RB20 is “a bit like [throwing] away two race weekends” in the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.