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Formula 1 title race tightens after McLaren disqualifications in Las Vegas
The battle for the Formula 1 drivers' championship has intensified after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to excessive skid-block wear, slashing Norris' lead from 30 points to 24 with just two races remaining.
The fallout from disqualification
Before the disqualification, Norris held a commanding 42-point advantage over Max Verstappen and a 30-point lead over teammate Piastri. The penalty reshuffles the standings: Norris now leads by 24 points, while Verstappen has closed the gap to tie Piastri on points-though the Red Bull driver remains third due to fewer race wins.
Norris, who could have clinched the title in Qatar this weekend with minimal point losses to his rivals, now faces a tighter contest. Verstappen, seeking a fifth consecutive championship, has revived his chances after cutting a 64-point deficit over four races earlier this season.
Norris' response and championship math
In a post-race statement, Norris acknowledged the setback:
"It's frustrating to lose so many points. We push for every bit of performance, and this time we got it wrong. Now, full focus shifts to Qatar," he said.
To secure the title in Doha, Norris must outscore both rivals by an average of two points across the sprint and grand prix. If not, the decider moves to Abu Dhabi. Despite the pressure, Norris insisted his approach remains unchanged:
"I'll treat it like any other race-I want to win. Winning is more fun than finishing second."
Why the disqualification happened
The McLaren cars failed post-race checks due to skid-block wear exceeding the 0.04mm-0.26mm limit-a marginal but disqualifying breach. Teams often run cars low for aerodynamic gains, risking wear, especially on bumpy tracks like Las Vegas. Limited practice data (disrupted by red flags and wet conditions) exacerbated the miscalculation.
The FIA rejected McLaren's appeal for leniency, citing no precedent for mitigating factors like unexpected "porpoising" (aerodynamic bouncing). The stewards' report noted the breach was unintentional but enforceable under regulations.
A recurring issue in F1
McLaren isn't alone: Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari was disqualified in China this year for the same issue, as was Charles Leclerc's Ferrari and Hamilton's Mercedes in the 2023 U.S. Grand Prix. George Russell's Mercedes also lost a 2023 Belgian GP win due to underweight violations from floor wear.
Teams walk a fine line between performance and compliance, with track conditions and limited testing often leading to costly errors.
What's next
The championship fight resumes in Qatar (November 29-December 1), where Norris could still clinch the title. If the battle extends to Abu Dhabi (December 8), Verstappen's late-season momentum-demonstrated by his Austin win-could play a decisive role.
