Verstappen Triumphs as McLaren Faces Disqualification
Max Verstappen triumphed at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, benefiting from the disqualification of both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The disqualification occurred due to a technical violation detected hours after the race, significantly impacting the championship standings. Verstappen’s victory puts him closer to Norris in the race for the title.
McLaren Disqualification Changes the Championship Landscape
The Las Vegas Grand Prix resulted in a shocking outcome for McLaren, which had initially secured second and fourth positions. The team faced disqualification due to excessive wear on a plank under the cars, a regulation violation. Specifically, the plank measured 8.8 mm at the front of Norris’s car and 8.93 mm at the rear of Piastri’s car, both below the minimum requirement of 9 mm.
Details of the Infractions
- Car No. 4 (Lando Norris): Disqualified for measuring 0.12 mm below the regulation.
- Car No. 81 (Oscar Piastri): Disqualified for exceeding the limit by 0.26 mm.
The disqualification came after officials inspected the vehicles, which displayed significant porpoising during the race—a behavior not observed in earlier practice sessions. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella stated that the team believed the unique characteristics of the Las Vegas street circuit contributed to the wear.
Implications for the Season
The disqualification could have far-reaching implications for the championship. Verstappen now finds himself just 24 points behind leader Norris, with two races left in the season. The remaining Grand Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are critical for all drivers involved.
Before this incident, Verstappen was more than 100 points behind in August but has since been performing excellently, winning four out of the last seven races. Reflecting on their season, Norris acknowledged the frustration of losing points and recognized their mistakes.
Looking Ahead
The pressure now intensifies on McLaren as they prepare for the upcoming race in Qatar, which will feature the season’s final sprint race, offering eight points to the winner. With his recent comeback performance, Verstappen heads to Qatar in high spirits and hopes to capitalize on McLaren’s challenges.
In the Las Vegas race results, Verstappen took first place, followed by George Russell from Mercedes and Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who finished in third after starting from the 17th position despite receiving a time penalty. This sequence of events solidifies Verstappen’s position as a strong contender for the championship.
