The Dramatic Twist at Las Vegas: Norris & Piastri Face Possible Disqualification
The 2025 Formula 1 season has been filled with unpredictable drama, but nothing has shaken the paddock quite like the news emerging after the Las Vegas Grand Prix. McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are now facing possible disqualification after a technical infringement was discovered during post-race checks. What looked like a strong result for the team may soon turn into one of the biggest setbacks of their season.
What Happened at the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
The Las Vegas race was a huge night for McLaren. Norris secured second place, strengthening his lead in the Drivers’ Championship, while Piastri crossed the line in a solid fourth. Both results were crucial for McLaren, especially with the championship battle heating up as the season nears its end.
But everything changed once the FIA completed its standard post-race inspections.
The FIA’s technical delegate, Jo Bauer, noted “excessive wear” on the rear skid blocks (also known as the plank) on both McLaren cars. According to Formula 1 regulations, these skid blocks must maintain a minimum thickness of 9 millimeters. They help ensure that teams do not run their cars too low to gain aerodynamic advantages.
When the skid block wears more than allowed, it usually signals that a car was running lower than the rules permit. That triggers automatic concern — and often leads to disqualification.
As a result, both McLaren cars were referred to the race stewards for further investigation. This is the final step before a decision is made, and historically, similar cases have resulted in severe penalties.
Why This Decision Is So Important
The potential consequences go far beyond the Las Vegas race itself. If both Norris and Piastri are disqualified, they will lose all points earned in the Grand Prix.
For Norris, the implications are huge. He had built a healthy lead of roughly 30 points over Piastri going into the race. Losing his second-place points would cut that lead significantly, leaving him much more vulnerable in the final two rounds of the season.
Meanwhile, Piastri — who has had an up-and-down season — would also lose valuable points. While he is still mathematically in the title fight, losing points at this stage would make his path far more complicated.
And then there’s Max Verstappen, who won the Las Vegas race. If McLaren’s disqualification goes through, Verstappen would gain even more ground, tightening the title battle just before the final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Simply put: the entire championship picture could change overnight.
Tension Behind the Scenes at McLaren
While the technical issue is the headline, there’s also a deeper story unfolding at McLaren. Throughout the season, there have been subtle signs of tension between Norris and Piastri — normal for teammates fighting for a world championship, but noticeable nonetheless.
Earlier in the year, Piastri was seen as Norris’s strongest competitor. His early form was sharp, consistent, and aggressive. But over the last several races, Norris has pulled ahead both in results and confidence.
There has also been chatter about team favoritism. Some fans have speculated that McLaren may be giving Norris priority in strategy calls or car updates, especially as his championship chances grew stronger. This speculation intensified after Piastri briefly reshared a post suggesting McLaren favored Norris because of his greater global popularity. While Piastri later clarified that he was focused on his own performance, the speculation didn’t fully disappear.
Additionally, the pair have had on-track incidents. In one race earlier this season, Norris accidentally collided with Piastri during a tight battle. Norris apologized afterward, calling the move “silly” and fully accepting the blame. Although both drivers moved past it professionally, it highlighted the pressure bubbling under the surface.
This current situation — which could see both drivers lose major points — adds another layer to an already tense dynamic.
Understanding the Skid Block Issue
For fans who may be newer to F1, the skid block is a long strip of material underneath the car, designed to prevent teams from running the car too close to the ground. Running lower generates more downforce and grip, making the car faster — but also increasing the risk of bottoming out and causing sparks or damage.
To keep things fair, the FIA sets strict limits on how much the skid block can wear during a race. If measurements show the block is too thin, the car is automatically considered non-compliant.
This isn’t the first time a car has faced disqualification for skid block wear. In fact, it happens regularly enough that teams constantly monitor ride height to avoid exactly this scenario. That’s what makes the McLaren case surprising: it’s unusual for both cars to have the same issue unless something in the setup was pushing the limits.
What Happens Next?
The stewards’ decision will determine everything. They will evaluate:
The FIA’s measurement reports McLaren’s explanations for the wear Whether any external factors (like bumps or track conditions) could have caused unusual damage
If they decide the skid block wear was outside the acceptable limits — and not caused by external or unpredictable factors — disqualification is the standard penalty.
Should both drivers lose their points:
Norris’s championship lead will shrink dramatically Piastri will fall further behind Verstappen will become an even bigger threat The final two races will become a high-pressure, unpredictable showdown
On the other hand, if McLaren provides evidence to justify the wear, the results could stand — but that outcome is rare in similar past cases.
Final Thoughts: A Championship on the Line
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was supposed to be a triumphant night for McLaren. Instead, it may become the turning point of the entire season. With only two races remaining, every point counts, and a disqualification now would be devastating.
For fans, the suspense is enormous. For McLaren, the pressure is immense. And for the drivers — especially Norris — the stakes have never been higher.
The stewards’ final ruling will shape the rest of the season, and possibly the legacy of the 2025 championship battle.
