Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix in dominant fashion, but it was the disqualification of both McLaren drivers hours later that dramatically revived his hopes of retaining the world championship. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were found to have excessive wear on their skid blocks, a breach of technical regulations that carries an automatic penalty.
Norris had finished second and Piastri fourth, which would have extended the Briton's lead over Verstappen to 49 points. However, the FIA's investigation, prompted by irregularities in the skid block thickness, resulted in both cars being excluded from the results. Verstappen now trails Norris by 24 points with two rounds remaining, including a sprint race in Qatar and the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Red Bull driver, who was 104 points behind Piastri after the Dutch Grand Prix in August, has staged a remarkable late-season surge. With six wins this year, including four in the last seven races, Verstappen remains mathematically in contention. If Norris leaves Qatar with a 26-point lead, he will seal the title, but Verstappen's persistence has kept the battle alive.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella missed his usual post-race media commitments as rumours circulated, and the disqualification was confirmed at 1:45 am local time after a lengthy hearing. The FIA has applied the skid block rules rigorously this season, with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hülkenberg previously penalised for similar infringements.
Verstappen's win in Las Vegas was his first since the penalty, and he described it as a strong statement of intent. The Dutchman is now poised to pressurise Norris in the final two meetings, hoping to snatch the championship in dramatic fashion.
