The Las Vegas strip delivered its brightest twist of the season when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Grand Prix hours after crossing the line. McLaren’s title charge, once calm and controlled, suddenly lurched into uncertainty as illegal plank wear on both cars wiped away crucial points. The ruling has pulled Max Verstappen back into the championship fight and has thrown the final two races into complete chaos.
McLaren were summoned to the stewards late on Saturday night. The issue centred on the skid blocks under both cars. They had worn below the minimum depth allowed. The infringement was small in numbers but huge in consequence. The thickness readings dipped below the required 9mm, which left the stewards with no option other than disqualification.
The FIA confirmed the breach and stated that the team had no deliberate intent. The measurements on both cars were rechecked in the presence of team staff. They still failed to meet the regulation. The penalty was automatic. It could not be softened. It could not be argued away.
Norris had finished second on the road behind Verstappen. He had believed he had done enough to strengthen his grip on the title. He had raced hard from pole. He had survived early pressure and then fought to limit damage as a late technical issue forced him to slow down. “It is frustrating to lose so many points,” he said. He added that all of his focus now switches to Qatar.
Piastri had crossed the line in fourth. He had battled through damage from an early hit by Liam Lawson. He moved forward after losing places at the start. He passed Isack Hadjar. He fought Charles Leclerc through the pit phases. He held off the charging Andrea Kimi Antonelli before the Italian’s penalty. But none of it mattered once the measurements came through.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella called it a painful blow. He explained that both cars experienced unexpected porpoising. The bouncing caused excessive skid wear. Stella said the team were investigating the cause. He apologised to Norris and Piastri. He also apologised to partners and fans. He insisted the team remain focused on the final two races.
The emotional swing was sharp. Had the result stood, Norris would have held a commanding lead. He would have been 30 points clear of Piastri and 42 clear of Verstappen. Instead, the three way fight has tightened. Verstappen now sits only 24 points behind the championship leader with a sprint weekend up next.
The race itself had been full of storylines. Norris pushed hard from pole. He cut across Verstappen at turn one. He misjudged his braking and ran deep. Verstappen swept through. Russell also passed him.
Virtual safety cars shaped the early phase. Verstappen managed the pace. Russell stopped early. Norris and Verstappen stretched their first stints longer. Verstappen rejoined ahead after his stop. Norris fought back into second with a clean move on Russell.
Late on, Norris felt something change. He asked his engineer how to run the rest of the race. The answer was clear. Try to chase Max. The reality was different. The McLaren had no more to give. Norris slowed by nearly three seconds per lap to protect the floor. He lifted early on the straights to reduce load on the plank. He held second place on the road despite the drop in speed.
Verstappen took his sixth win of the season. He was proud of the effort. He said the gap was still big but he would keep pushing. His words came before the disqualifications. They now carry a new weight. He has won four of the eight races since the break. He has momentum. He has belief. He has a way back into the title fight.
Lower down the order, the reshuffle created new podium joy. Russell moved to second. Antonelli rose to third for another standout result. Leclerc climbed to fourth. Sainz took fifth. Hadjar earned sixth. Hulkenberg and Hamilton secured solid points. Ocon and Bearman completed the top ten.
The championship now heads to Qatar. The sprint adds extra jeopardy. Norris still leads. Piastri still fights. Verstappen still hunts. Vegas has changed everything.
