Verstappen takes fourth Formula One title in Las Vegas, Lawson 16th

• Verstappen takes his fourth title in a row
• Red Bull driver finished fifth in the race
• Mercedes dominant with Russell leading Hamilton one-two

Red Bull's Max Verstappen clinched the Formula One world championship for the fourth time, and fourth year in a row, after finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

With two rounds to spare, the 27-year-old Dutch driver took an unbeatable 63-point lead over McLaren's Lando Norris in the championship.

George Russell won the night race from pole position in a Mercedes one-two finish with team mate Lewis Hamilton, who started 10th.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was third with team mate Charles Leclerc fourth.

Norris, who finished sixth, made a late pitstop to secure a bonus point for the fastest lap.

"What a season. Four times. Thank you guys. Thank you to everyone," Verstappen said over team radio after taking the chequered flag and being congratulated on becoming a four-times champion.

"It was a little bit more difficult than last year but we pulled through and we gave it all."

In the constructors' standings, Ferrari closed the gap to McLaren to 24 points.

New Zealander Liam Lawson finished 16th - the last-placed of the four Red Bull cars.

His team-mate Yuki Tsunoda finished ninth and rival Sergio Perez finished 10th.

- Reuters/RNZ