A dramatic turn of events hours after the checkered flag has fundamentally altered the landscape of the Formula 1 world championship fight. Max Verstappen’s commanding win at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was followed by the disqualification of both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, for a technical infringement.
Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, seized the lead at the start and controlled the race from the front, claiming a decisive victory. Norris, who started from pole position, recovered from an early error to finish second, with his teammate Piastri crossing the line in fourth. The results appeared to solidify McLaren’s grip on the championship standings.
However, in a late-night investigation, the sport’s governing body found that the skid blocks on both McLaren cars were worn beyond the legal limits—a strict regulation with little room for leniency. The subsequent disqualification erased their points from the event.
The ramifications are immense. Overnight, Verstappen’s deficit in the drivers’ championship has been slashed. He now trails Norris by just 24 points, with an identical gap to Piastri. With two race weekends remaining—in Qatar and Abu Dhabi—a total of 58 points are still available, reigniting a title battle many had considered all but settled.
Verstappen’s late-season resurgence has been remarkable. After a mid-season points gap that appeared insurmountable, a string of strong results, including four wins in the last seven races, has brought him back into contention. The Las Vegas outcome, decided in the scrutineering bay rather than on the track, has handed him a critical lifeline.
For McLaren, the result is a devastating setback. What seemed like a solid points haul to protect their championship lead has vanished due to a technical oversight. The team now faces the immense pressure of regrouping for the final rounds, with their once-comfortable cushion dramatically reduced.
As the series moves to Qatar, the psychological momentum has shifted. Verstappen and Red Bull, written off months ago, are now legitimate threats for the crown. The championship, which has swung between contenders all season, promises a tense and unpredictable conclusion, with every point and technical detail under the microscope.