Las Vegas Grand Prix reshapes F1 title fight as Norris lead narrows and Verstappen returns to contention
Disqualification of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at the Las Vegas Grand Prix tightens the title race, with Max Verstappen back in mathematical contention and Norris still favoured to win.
The disqualification of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the Las Vegas Grand Prix reshapes the battle for the Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
Previously, Norris held a 30-point lead over Piastri and was 42 points clear of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen with only two races remaining and a maximum of 58 points on offer.
That meant Norris could clinch the title in Doha if he avoided big points losses to his team-mate and to Verstappen. Verstappen’s mathematical chances were slim but still alive.
In the immediate aftermath, Norris’s advantage has shrunk to 24 points, while Verstappen is now level on points with Piastri, although he remains technically third on the count of wins.
While Norris remains the favourite, Verstappen is now properly in the championship mix again and the dynamic of the closing races has changed significantly.
Norris and Piastri disqualified from Las Vegas Grand Prix
Published 2 hours ago
Norris's path to Doha remains precarious but open
Verstappen back in contention for a fifth title
Even so, closing the gap by 12 points on average over the final two races is a substantial task. It’s worth recalling how quickly the landscape can shift in F1: Verstappen cut a 64-point deficit after Austin with a sprint of strong results last month.
The title still sits with Norris, but the Qatar weekend carries extra pressure. The schedule includes a sprint race in addition to the Grand Prix, complicating the maths.
McLaren issued a statement after the disqualification, and Norris spoke of the frustration of losing points. He said the team is focused on Qatar and delivering the best possible performance in every session.
In the immediate aftermath of the race, Norris told reporters: “I look forward to Qatar. I have a few days off, but I’ll treat it as a race and go out there to win.”
Asked if the title situation would change his approach, he answered that he would treat it the same: “I’m here to win, and I’ll do everything I can to win all three remaining sessions and races.”
How could the disqualification have happened?
Disqualifications in Formula 1 are not unusual, and the Las Vegas case follows a familiar pattern. In recent seasons, similar penalties have been handed for floor or skid-block wear that breaches the rules, even when the breach is tiny.
Teams aim to run their cars as low as possible to maximise downforce and lap time. The trade-off is that the floor or skid blocks can wear more quickly, especially on bumpy tracks with high-speed sections like the Las Vegas Strip.
Las Vegas presented a challenging mix: disruptions to practice, limited data from race-simulation runs, wet weather on qualifying, and a bumpy surface. All of this can complicate ride-height decisions and floor wear assessments.
McLaren argued mitigating factors such as unexpected porpoising and reduced testing time due to weather. The FIA, however, maintained that there is no provision in the rules for penalties other than disqualification in such cases, and noted that the breach was unintentional rather than deliberate.
The infringements involved only fractions of a millimetre—0.07 mm to 0.12 mm on Norris’s skid and 0.04 mm to 0.26 mm on Piastri’s. Yet in F1, any breach can trigger a disqualification if the car’s overall floor geometry falls outside the regulated limits.
McLaren is not alone in facing these issues, and the sport regularly tests teams to adhere to the letter of the rules while maintaining performance on track.
What this means for the title race
With the penalties, Norris now carries a 24-point advantage over the field, Verstappen has climbed back into contention alongside Piastri, and the championship picture is far from settled.
The Qatar weekend could decide the title if Norris can gain two points over both rivals across the sprint and Grand Prix. If he fails to do so, the final race in Abu Dhabi will determine the champion.
Norris’s focus remains on performance, with the intention of taking victory in Qatar and extending his lead while Verstappen and Piastri push for every possible result.
Key context from the season
Close battle continues as penalties reshape standings
Higher-stakes weekends demand precise setup and risk management
Summary insight: A small regulatory breach can dramatically shift the title chase, turning a Norris-led race into a tight contest with Verstappen back in the frame. The next two races will be crucial in deciding the champion. BBC Sport
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