LAS VEGAS - Lando Norris arrives in Las Vegas this week full of confidence after back-to-back wins and in control of the Formula One world championship race as he eyes a maiden title.
The Briton boasts a 24-point lead in the drivers' standings over McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri heading into Sunday's race after a remarkable turnaround in form.
Australian Piastri, who was 34 points clear after winning the Dutch Grand Prix on August 31, has failed to even post a podium finish in the past five races.
Norris has found consistency at the right time, following up his victory from pole position in Mexico with a sprint success and another race win from the front of the grid in Sao Paulo last time out.
No one has failed to convert as big a lead as Norris currently holds with three races left in a season since the points-scoring system was changed in 2010.
But the 26-year-old is not taking anything for granted yet.
"They're just strong results, which is exactly what I need, exactly what I'm fighting for every single weekend and every day," he said in Brazil.
"So just very pleased, but it's still a long way to go. So no point getting too happy or excited just yet."
Norris cannot secure the world championship crown this weekend but he could end the title defence of Max Verstappen.
The four-time defending champion charged back into contention but is now 49 points adrift despite a thrilling drive to finish third two weeks ago, having started the race from the pit-lane.
Piastri still poses the biggest threat to Norris' bid to become Britain's 11th F1 world champion.
He showed signs of rediscovering his pace in Sao Paulo but was ultimately undone by a controversial 10-second penalty.
Even Charles Leclerc, who was forced to retire due to the incident in question, expressed sympathy for Piastri who ended the race in fifth place when at least a podium had been on the cards.
Piastri, who like Norris has seven wins this season, still has time to catch his teammate but needs to make inroads quickly.
After Vegas, only race weeks in Doha, where there is also a sprint, and Abu Dhabi remain.