Lando Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix after post-race inspections revealed technical infringements on both cars.
The FIA found that the skid blocks on the McLaren entries were below the minimum thickness permitted by Formula 1 regulations, resulting in the removal of both drivers’ finishing positions.
The ruling dramatically reshapes the championship landscape with only two races remaining. Norris, who had crossed the line in second place behind Max Verstappen, now sees his lead reduced, though he still holds a 24-point advantage over both Verstappen and Piastri heading into Qatar next weekend.
The disqualification also reshuffles the Vegas finishing order. Mercedes drivers George Russell and young Italian Kimi Antonelli inherit second and third place respectively, boosting the team’s push for late-season momentum.
Piastri, who had originally finished fourth, also loses a valuable haul of points that might have kept his title hopes stronger. McLaren accepted the FIA’s findings, which indicated excessive wear on the plank that runs underneath all Formula 1 cars.
The skid blocks are designed to prevent excessive grounding and ensure teams maintain minimum ride heights. Over-wear typically suggests the car ran too low, a potential performance advantage but a clear violation of technical rules.
Norris expressed disappointment at the outcome but stressed that his focus is now forward-looking. “It’s frustrating to lose so many points,” he said after the ruling.
“As a team, we’re always pushing to find as much performance as we can, and we clearly didn’t get that balance right today. Nothing I can do will change that now. Instead, full focus switches to Qatar, where we’ll aim to deliver the best possible performance in every session.”
The Briton, now 26, still heads into the penultimate round with a favourable outlook. Qatar’s sprint format means up to 58 points remain available across the final two weekends. Norris can seal his maiden Formula 1 world title in Lusail if he scores at least two points more than both Verstappen and Piastri over the weekend.
Verstappen, meanwhile, now finds himself back in closer contention after winning in Las Vegas for Red Bull. The Dutchman is chasing his fifth consecutive world title but faces a tougher challenge this year as McLaren’s resurgence has kept the championship alive deep into the season. Piastri, too, remains mathematically in the fight despite the setback, though the Australian will now require exceptional results in both remaining rounds.
The setback marks a difficult moment for McLaren, who have otherwise been among the strongest teams of the season. Technical infringements of this kind are not uncommon in Formula 1, especially on high-speed street circuits like Las Vegas where aggressive setups and bumpy surfaces can lead teams close to the limit of ride-height tolerances.
With Abu Dhabi set to host the season finale on 7 December, the F1 paddock now turns its attention to Qatar, where high temperatures, abrasive track conditions, and the sprint format promise a tense and pivotal weekend.
For Norris, the mission remains simple: outscore his two closest rivals and finally claim the championship that has narrowly eluded him in previous seasons.
For McLaren, the challenge will be ensuring no further technical missteps jeopardise their title ambitions. The team has made remarkable strides over the past two seasons, and securing a drivers’ championship would represent a major milestone in their long-term recovery plan.
As the sun sets on the Las Vegas controversy, the 2025 championship fight is poised for a dramatic conclusion. Whether Norris can bounce back and clinch his first title, or whether Verstappen or Piastri can overturn the deficit, will be decided over the next two high-pressure weekends—starting in Qatar, where every lap will carry championship-defining stakes.