Image: from Ranvijayy Rathore X@Ranvijayy_
By José Carlos Palma
The 2025 Formula 1 season took a dramatic turn in Las Vegas. Max Verstappen may have won the race with trademark dominance, but the real shock came hours after the checkered flag fell. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and fourth on track, were disqualified when post-race scrutineering uncovered illegal wear on the skid planks of both McLaren cars.
The ruling erased McLaren’s points from the weekend, reshaped the Las Vegas Grand Prix results and, more importantly, rewrote the script of the 2025 championship battle.
Norris’s early mistake sets the stage
The drama began on the opening lap. Starting from pole position, Norris locked up and ran wide in the first corner, handing the lead directly to Verstappen. From that moment, the Red Bull driver never looked back. Verstappen controlled the pace, executed his strategy flawlessly, and collected his sixth win of the season.
George Russell delivered another strong performance for Mercedes, finishing third on track, later upgraded to second after McLaren’s disqualification.
Kimi Antonelli produced one of the drives of the day. Starting 17th, the young Mercedes driver charged through the field and crossed the line in fourth. Even with a five-second penalty for a jump start, he was ultimately promoted to the podium.
Ferrari steadies the ship, Hamilton recovers
Ferrari had both cars safely inside the points. Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc completed clean, consistent races, claiming key positions after the classification reshuffle. Lewis Hamilton staged a strong comeback after a disastrous qualifying that left him last on the grid. He climbed into the top ten and gained even more positions following McLaren’s exclusion.
For Sauber, the race was bittersweet. Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto misjudged his braking into Turn 1 and collided heavily with Lance Stroll, ending both their races instantly. Nico Hülkenberg, however, salvaged valuable points and benefited significantly from the post-race shakeup.
Why the McLarens were disqualified
The turning point came during the routine FIA technical inspection. Measurements on Norris’ car revealed the wooden skid block was worn below the minimum 9 mm thickness mandated by Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. The precise micrometer readings showed:
• 8.88 mm (front-right)
• 8.93 mm (rear-right)
A re-check conducted with team representatives present yielded even lower values, eliminating any possible margin of doubt.
McLaren argued that unexpected porpoising, reduced track time due to rain, and possible impacts during the race might have accelerated the wear. They also claimed the violation was minor compared to earlier infractions by other teams.
The stewards rejected every explanation, reiterating that technical regulations are absolute and do not allow exceptions based on intent or circumstances. As long as the car is out of compliance, disqualification is mandatory.
The decision was issued not by the FIA directly, but by an independent panel of stewards. McLaren can still appeal under Article 15 of the International Sporting Code, but historically, technical infractions are never overturned.
How the final classification changed
With Norris and Piastri removed from the results, the top ten was reorganized:
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Max Verstappen
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George Russell
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Kimi Antonelli
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Charles Leclerc
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Carlos Sainz
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Isack Hadjar
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Nico Hülkenberg
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Lewis Hamilton
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Esteban Ocon
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Oliver Bearman
The reshuffle rewarded consistent performers and dramatically reshaped the championship picture.
A championship reborn
Norris remains the championship leader with 390 points, but what could have been a decisive weekend became a massive missed opportunity. Instead of extending his lead, he now faces renewed pressure.
Behind him, Piastri and Verstappen sit tied on 366 points, turning the final two rounds into a three-way duel with razor-thin margins.
With 58 points still up for grabs and only 24 separating the trio, the title fight is suddenly wide open.
Next stop: Qatar
The penultimate round in Qatar, held in Sprint format, promises chaos, tension, and high-stakes racing. Off-track controversy will travel with the paddock, fueling one of the tightest and most unpredictable championship battles of the modern era.
Las Vegas may have crowned a race winner, but the storyline that emerged afterward has redefined the 2025 Formula 1 world championship.