LAS VEGAS :Oscar Piastri's hopes of winning for the first time since August, and reviving his rapidly deflating Formula One title hopes, suffered another setback after he qualified fifth in a rainswept Las Vegas on Friday.

With McLaren teammate and championship leader Lando Norris on pole for the third race in a row, the Australian needs to find something special on Saturday to avoid handing Norris a huge advantage.

The Briton is already 24 points clear at the top with only two rounds, and a maximum 58 points, remaining after Las Vegas.

Norris has out-qualified Piastri in their last three races, and beaten him in the last six, but the 24-year-old was hopeful he could at least limit the damage in the Nevada night race.

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