Formula 1 November 26, 2025

Norris and Piastri Disqualified in Las Vegas: F1 Title Fight Reignites Before Abu Dhabi

The 2025 Formula 1 season was beginning to feel settled. But the dramatic double disqualification of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the Las Vegas Grand Prix has reignited a title battle that now looks set to go down to the wire in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

A race that should have consolidated McLaren’s dominance has instead blown the championship wide open and handed fresh hope to Max Verstappen.

Disqualification Shocks McLaren and the Paddock

Under the night lights of Las Vegas, Norris had finished second behind Verstappen and Piastri crossed the line fourth. But in post-race scrutineering, both cars were found to be in breach of Article 3.5.9 of the FIA’s Technical Regulations. The rear skid blocks on both cars had worn below the minimum permitted thickness of 9 mm.

Measurements showed Norris’s plank wore to 8.88 mm and Piastri’s to 8.90 mm. While the discrepancy was small, the rule is strict. Any car that fails this test is automatically disqualified, regardless of intent.

As Formula 1’s Technical Director Tim Goss explained, “It’s a clear-cut case. The plank is part of the legality of the car. If it wears beyond the permitted amount, the car is not legal.”

McLaren attributed the wear to unexpected porpoising and limited dry-running in practice, which reduced their ability to fine-tune ride height. However, the stewards ruled that the responsibility ultimately lay with the team.

The result was devastating: both cars were disqualified, wiping out their championship points from the weekend.

McLaren’s Response: Regret and Responsibility

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella publicly apologised to both drivers and to the team’s fans and sponsors.

“We are investigating the reasons for this behaviour of the car,” Stella said. “We suspect a combination of factors, including track bumps, set-up choices and weather-affected practice. Regardless, the responsibility lies with us.”

Norris was visibly frustrated.

“A frustrating end to today. We had to do some managing towards the end of the race and now we know it was due to some issues on our car, which have unfortunately resulted in us being disqualified,” he said. “It is frustrating to lose so many points.”

Piastri echoed the sentiment, calling the outcome “disappointing” and stressing that it was now about “looking ahead and being as prepared as we can be for the final two races.”

How the Standings Have Shifted

The disqualifications have transformed the championship picture.

Updated Drivers’ Standings (after Round 22 of 24):

Lando Norris (McLaren) – 390 points

Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 366 points

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 366 points

Before Las Vegas, Norris held a comfortable lead. Now, with only 24 points separating all three contenders and 58 points still available (including a sprint weekend in Qatar), the title fight is finely balanced.

Piastri leads Verstappen on countback, having secured more wins during the season, but both are in striking range.

The Fallout: McLaren’s Title Margin Vanishes

The immediate consequence is obvious: Norris’s margin has evaporated. Once holding a two-race buffer, he now has no room for error. A single retirement or poor sprint showing in Qatar could send the title to Abu Dhabi undecided.

From a strategic perspective, the Las Vegas mistake also limits McLaren’s set-up freedom. Having been penalised for excessive plank wear, they must now run more conservative ride heights, potentially compromising downforce and tyre wear performance.

As technical analyst Craig Scarborough noted: “They will now be forced to tiptoe through the last two rounds. That makes them vulnerable.”

Qatar: A Pivotal Sprint Weekend

The Lusail International Circuit in Qatar will host the penultimate round of the season, and it includes a sprint race – a format that has often delivered mixed results for all three top drivers.

For Norris, a clean, controlled weekend will be vital. He needs to outscore both rivals by at least two points to be in a position to clinch the title before Abu Dhabi.

For Piastri, the situation is complex. If he wins big, he could leapfrog Norris and put himself in the lead. If he ends up shadowing his teammate, team orders may come into play.

McLaren have previously said they will allow both drivers to race freely. But the stakes may now force a different approach, especially if Verstappen capitalises on any intra-team battles.

Verstappen, meanwhile, has nothing to lose. Red Bull’s late-season development push has brought them back into contention, and Verstappen’s experience under pressure gives him a slight psychological edge. A strong showing in Qatar could put him ahead before the Yas Marina finale.

Abu Dhabi: The Decider?

If Norris fails to seal the title in Qatar, all eyes will turn to Abu Dhabi. The Yas Marina Circuit has hosted dramatic finales before – not least in 2021 – and this year’s edition is now shaping up to be just as tense.

McLaren will need to be flawless. Verstappen’s ability to win in high-stakes conditions is well documented, and Piastri has already proven capable of fighting at the front in his rookie season.

In Yas Marina, car set-up is vital. Long straights and technical sectors reward balanced packages, and McLaren may be on the back foot if forced into conservative floor settings.

The final race may also bring the question of team strategy into full focus. Will McLaren let their drivers fight if both are still in contention? Or will they back Norris to secure the team’s first title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008?

Broader Implications for F1 and McLaren

This disqualification has also reopened debate about the rigidity of F1’s technical rules. Critics argue that disqualifying cars for minimal wear differences punishes performance, while others say such standards preserve fairness.

From McLaren’s perspective, the incident is more than a technical failure — it is a major operational error. Had they left a slightly wider compliance margin, they might still be leading the Constructors’ Championship by a safe distance.

The emotional impact is significant too. For a team that had been on the ascendancy all season, this sudden misstep has created internal pressure, external scrutiny, and a far more precarious run-in.

What Happens Next?

The final two weekends of the 2025 season are now must-watch events. Among the key storylines:

Can Norris hold his nerve and deliver McLaren’s first championship in over a decade?

Will Piastri continue to race freely or be asked to play a support role?

Is Verstappen about to snatch the title with a late-season surge?

Will McLaren’s floor-height setback affect their performance in Qatar and Abu Dhabi?

The answers will come over two weekends — one sprint, two races, 58 points — and one glittering showdown under the lights in Abu Dhabi.

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