The landscape of the Formula 1 World Championship was thrown into chaos after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where both McLaren drivers were dramatically disqualified from the final race results.
Shock Disqualification Rocks McLaren
In a stunning post-race development, McLaren team-mates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix following a detailed technical inspection. The decision came after Norris had initially finished the race in a strong second place, with Piastri taking fourth.
The FIA stewards found the primary cause to be a breach of the technical regulations concerning the car's underbody. Specifically, the thickness of the rearmost skid block, commonly referred to as the 'plank', was measured at less than the mandatory minimum of 9mm.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella addressed the violation, stating it was unintentional. He explained that unexpected car behaviour, including significant 'porpoising' and potential accidental contact with the track surface, led to excessive wear on the skid block, causing it to fall below the legal limit.
New Podium and Championship Fallout
The disqualifications forced a major reshuffle of the final race classification. George Russell of Mercedes was promoted from third to second place, securing a valuable podium finish. His team-mate, Kimi Antonelli, also moved up the order to claim the final podium spot in third.
The ramifications for the Drivers' Championship are profound. With only two races remaining on the calendar, the loss of points for the McLaren drivers has tightened the title fight considerably. The disqualification means Max Verstappen is now level on points with Oscar Piastri, while the gap to championship leader Lando Norris has narrowed significantly.
Race winner Verstappen emerged as the major beneficiary of the penalties. His victory for Red Bull, unchallenged by the post-race infringement drama, has become even more influential in the intensifying championship battle.
Dramatic On-Track Action and Safety Scare
The race itself began with high drama as pole-sitter Lando Norris immediately lost the lead to the charging Verstappen at the first corner. An aggressive defensive move by Norris backfired, causing him to overshoot and temporarily drop behind George Russell as well.
Beyond the competitive action, a serious safety concern emerged early in the grand prix. A terrifying moment occurred as track marshals were spotted still on the circuit at Turn 1 while the field of Formula 1 cars was completing the first lap at full racing speed, raising immediate alarm over protocol and marshal safety.
The double disqualification marks one of the most significant technical penalties of the season, altering the championship narrative heading into the final two rounds and casting a shadow over McLaren's otherwise competitive performance in Las Vegas.
