Four-time reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen delivered a decisive victory at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday, dramatically reshaping the championship battle after both McLaren drivers were disqualified for technical violations. The ruling erased Lando Norris’ second-place finish and Oscar Piastri’s fourth-place result, propelling Verstappen into a three-way tie for title contention with just two races remaining.
Post-race inspections revealed the skid blocks on both McLaren cars fell below minimum depth requirements, a breach McLaren team principal Andrea Stella attributed to “unexpected, high levels of porpoising” causing excessive ground contact. The disqualification slashes Norris’ championship lead to 24 points, with Verstappen now level on points with Piastri as the 2025 season nears its climax.
“It’s frustrating to lose so many points,” Norris stated, vowing to regroup for next weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix, which includes a sprint race. A maximum of 58 points remain available across the final two events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen’s fifth consecutive title bid now hinges on outperforming McLaren’s duo in the Middle Eastern races. The dramatic turn underscores Formula 1’s relentless technical precision and the high stakes of its global competition, drawing renewed attention to Asia’s growing influence in motorsport through sponsorships and emerging talent pipelines.
