Max Verstappen claimed victory at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a dramatic post-race twist saw both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri disqualified for technical infringements. The McLaren pair, who originally finished second and fourth, were removed from the results after their skid blocks were found to be below the minimum legal thickness.
The disqualifications dealt a major blow to Norris’ title campaign. Instead of extending his lead, the Briton now heads into the penultimate round in Qatar just 24 points ahead of both Verstappen and Piastri. With a sprint weekend up next and 58 points still available, the championship remains wide open.
McLaren’s Weekend Unravels
What began as a strong race for McLaren ended in major disappointment. Norris had fought back to second place after losing out to Verstappen and George Russell early on, managing tyre issues and a developing technical problem in the closing laps. Piastri recovered from an early collision to finish fourth on the road after a hard-fought race through the midfield.
However, post-race checks revealed excessive skid block wear on both cars — a breach McLaren attributed to unexpected porpoising and possible floor damage. The team insisted the offence was unintentional, and governing body officials acknowledged mitigating circumstances, but the penalty stood.
Norris was blunt in his reaction: “It’s frustrating to lose so many points. We’re always pushing the limits, but clearly we didn’t get that balance right today. All we can do now is focus on Qatar and maximise every session.”
Verstappen’s Title Hopes Revived
Verstappen’s sixth win of the season came in emphatic fashion, the Dutchman taking control after capitalising on a Norris mistake on lap one. Once ahead, the Red Bull driver held a firm grip on the race, managing a two-stop strategy better than his rivals as the field battled traffic and virtual safety cars.
Norris briefly re-emerged as a threat after the final round of pit stops, closing the gap to Verstappen before McLaren instructed him to back off to protect the floor of the car. Without that late charge, Verstappen eased away and crossed the line comfortably in the lead — a result made even sweeter by the post-race stewards’ decision.
“It’s still a big gap, but we’ll fight to the end,” Verstappen said after the win, unaware of what was to follow. “All we can do is maximise every weekend and see where we end up in Abu Dhabi.”
Russell and Antonelli Inherit Podium Places
With Norris and Piastri removed from the results, Mercedes enjoyed a substantial boost. George Russell was promoted to second, while Kimi Antonelli claimed third — the rookie’s second consecutive podium.
Antonelli had driven a clever race, pitting under the early virtual safety car and running most of the Grand Prix on hard tyres. A five-second penalty for a start-line infringement kept him under pressure, but his pace proved strong enough to retain his place in the top three once penalties were applied.
Midfield Battle Reshaped
Charles Leclerc was elevated to fourth despite a quiet race by Ferrari’s standards, with Carlos Sainz taking fifth after a gritty drive in the Williams. Isack Hadjar continued his breakthrough season with sixth for Racing Bulls.
Further back, Nico Hülkenberg, Lewis Hamilton, Esteban Ocon, and Oliver Bearman all moved into the points. Hamilton in particular delivered one of the strongest recovery drives of the day, climbing into the top ten after starting deep in the field following a difficult qualifying session.
Analysis: Title Fight Tightens Dramatically
The disqualifications have transformed the championship picture. Instead of holding a commanding advantage, Norris now leads both Verstappen and Piastri by just 24 points heading into Qatar — a sprint weekend that offers extra opportunities to score.
While Norris still controls his own destiny, the margin for error has evaporated. A strong sprint result for either pursuer could set up a three-way showdown in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen, meanwhile, gains a lifeline in his pursuit of a fifth consecutive crown.
What’s Next?
Formula 1 heads directly to the Middle East for the Qatar Grand Prix, where the final sprint event of the year could prove decisive. With 58 points available across the weekend, expect all three title contenders to push the limits as the battle for the 2025 world championship enters its penultimate chapter.
