The Formula 1 world championship has been thrown into chaos after both McLaren drivers were dramatically disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix, transforming the title battle with just two rounds remaining.
The Dramatic Disqualification
In a stunning post-race development, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both excluded from the Las Vegas Grand Prix results after their McLaren cars failed technical inspections. The FIA discovered that both vehicles showed excessive skid plank wear, with the thickness falling below the mandatory 9mm threshold.
This technical infringement proved immediately costly for the McLaren team, with stewards taking the severe step of disqualifying both cars from the race classification. The decision came after Norris had initially finished in second position and Piastri in fourth, results that would have significantly strengthened their championship positions.
Championship Implications
The disqualification has completely reshaped the championship standings with only the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remaining. Norris's lead over Red Bull's Max Verstappen has been slashed to just 24 points, while Piastri now finds himself level on points with the reigning world champion.
This represents a massive swing in fortunes for the McLaren team, who had appeared to strengthen their position in both the drivers' and constructors' championships. Verstappen, who won the Las Vegas race, now finds himself in a much stronger position to challenge for what would be a remarkable comeback victory in the 2025 F1 title race.
What Happens Next?
Attention now turns to the final two rounds of the season, beginning with the Qatar Grand Prix. With 58 points still available - including those from the sprint race in Qatar - the championship remains wide open.
The McLaren team faces a challenging task to regroup after this devastating setback, while Red Bull and Verstappen will be buoyed by this unexpected opportunity. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Formula 1 season, with everything to play for in the Middle Eastern double-header.
