Red Bull ace Verstappen pounced on a slip by pole-sitter Norris on the first turn of Sin City's street circuit to grab the lead and controlled the race thereafter to claim the 69th Grand Prix win of his career, finishing more than 20 seconds clear.

Britain's Norris tightened his grip on the season standings, with his second place leaving him on 408 points with two races remaining, 30 clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri, who finished fourth. Mercedes' George Russell was third.

After the drama of Friday's qualifying, when heavy rain made for a treacherous surface that Verstappen likened to driving on ice, Saturday's 50-lap race under the glittering lights of Las Vegas got under way in cool, dry conditions.

Verstappen, who could mathematically still win a fifth consecutive title after a result that leaves him 42 points behind Norris with two races remaining, was quick to exploit the improved weather.

Norris, who had arrived in Vegas fresh from back-to-back wins in Mexico and Sao Paulo, attempted an aggressive move to block Verstappen right from the start.

The move backfired and Norris ran off the track and allowed Verstappen to grab first place. Norris dropped back to third after he was passed by Russell into second.