Disaster for Lando Norris as McLaren driver disqualified from F1 Las Vegas GP

McLaren has met with a disaster as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas GP. The pair had finished second and fourth in the provisional classification, but their MCL39s were found with thinner planks than permitted for racing, resulting in their disqualification.

Norris had started on pole in Sin City but lost this lead in turn one as he ran wide and allowed Max Verstappen and George Russell to slip through. While he tried to put up a charge back to the lead, he was only able to overtake the Mercedes driver, as the Dutchman was too far out in front.

However, at one point in the race, he looked to be catching Verstappen, but was ordered to bring the car home at a slower pace to manage an "issue." The paddock assumed that he didn't have enough fuel to cover the race distance and for the post-race scruteneering, but the real reason could have been different.

Moreover, with the FIA's verdict of disqualifying both Norris and Piastri, it can be interpreted that the issue that has strangled Ferrari since the start of the season had caught up to McLaren as Norris was practicing LiCo in the tail end of the race.

With Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations stating:

"The thickness of the plank assembly measured normal to the lower surface must be 10mm ± 0.2mm and must be uniform when new. A minimum thickness of 9mm will be accepted due to wear, and conformity to this provision will be checked at the peripheries of the designated holes."

With this, the papaya duo will not take home any points from the race weekend. Lando Norris would suffer an 18-point deduction to the provisional classification, while Oscar Piastri would take a 12-point hit.

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What does Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri's disqualification mean for their drivers' championship bid?

McLaren's Lando Norris (L), Red Bull's Max Verstappen, and McLaren's Oscar Piastri (R) at the 2025 F1 Grand Prix of Italy - Source: Getty

This disqualification could seemingly be the miracle that Max Verstappen required in his fight for the drivers' championship. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri would have exited Las Vegas with a lead over the Red Bull driver, but this isn't the case anymore.

Verstappen will take home 25 points, which is exactly the gap that he had to Piastri. So, both of them now have 366 points in the drivers' championship, but the Aussie will remain ahead of his rival for the time being as he has scored seven wins in comparison to the reigning champion's six wins in the 2025 season so far.

On the other hand, Verstappen would have had a 42-point deficit to Norris arriving at Qatar, but this gap has been brought down to 24 points. With two Grand Prix weekends and a sprint race in Qatar still left on the calendar, there are still 58 points up for grabs.

Thus, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri would have to regain their form and avoid any mishaps in the final two race weekends of the season. Otherwise, Max Verstappen will take the 2025 drivers' title home, winning his fifth consecutive world championship.

Edited by Geetansh Pasricha