What McLaren DQ means for Piastri's Championship hopes

In a sensational and unexpected twist in the F1 drivers’ championship, McLaren have been handed a double disqualification for a technical infringement in Las Vegas which has blown the title race open.

Both Oscar Piastri and teammate Lando Norris were summoned to the stewards after the race in which the Australian finished fourth and the Briton second.

They were disqualified for excessive skid block wear after a mammoth probe by the FIA.

The rear skid block of both cars were investigated after being measured as less than 9mm which is in breach of regulations. It's the same issue that saw Lewis Hamilton excluded from the China GP earlier this season.

Skid blocks are mandated from running too low as it will give the car an unfair advantage from a speed perspective.

The F1 world title remains a three-driver race after Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Las Vegas Grand Prix to move within 12 points of Piastri in second place and 42 off Norris at the top.

However, the double disqualification means Verstappen and Piastri are now level on 366, 24 points off Norris with two races and a sprint left on the calendar.

The shake-up in points means that Norris can still win the title in Qatar next weekend if he wins two points more than Piastri or Verstappen.

Driver standings with DQ

Norris 390
Piastri 366
Verstappen 366

McLaren statement

McLaren released a statement from Norris, Piastri and Team Principal Andrea Stellaon the matter:

Norris: "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. It’s frustrating to lose so many points. As a team, we’re always pushing to find as much performance as we can, and we clearly didn’t get that balance right today. Nothing I can do will change that now, instead full focus switches to Qatar, where we'll aim to go out and deliver the best possible performance in every session."

Piastri: "Disappointing to come away from this weekend with no points after an unfortunate disqualification due to skid wear. With how close the grid is, we’re always looking at where we can gain performance, and we didn’t get it right this time. We now need to reset, refocus and push to get the best points possible in the final two rounds, both tracks that we've been strong at previously."

Stella: "Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, we were found in breach of Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations, which requires a minimum of 9mm skid thickness. Car 4 was found in breach by a maximum of 0.12mm of the rearmost skid and Car 81 by a maximum of 0.26mm of the rearmost skid.

"During the race, both cars experienced unexpected, high levels of porpoising not seen in the Practice sessions, which led to excessive contact with the ground. We are investigating the reasons for this behaviour of the car, including the effect of accidental damage sustained by both cars, which we found after the race, and that led to an increase of movement of the floor.

"As the FIA noted, the breach was unintentional, there was no deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations, and mitigating circumstances also existed.

"We apologise to Lando and Oscar for the loss of points today, at a critical time in their Championship campaigns after two strong performances from them all weekend. As a team, we also apologise to our partners and fans, whose support means so much.

"While this outcome is extremely disappointing, we remain fully focused on the last two races of the season."

FIA statement

A statement from the FIA said: "The rear skids of Car 4 were measured and found to be below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. The relevant measurements were RHS Front 8.88mm, RHS Rear 8.93mm. The measuring device was a Mitutoyo Micrometre purchased in May 2025, and according to the manufacturer's specifications, accurate to within 0.001mm.

"The rear skids were re-measured in the presence of the Stewards and the three McLaren representatives, and those measurements confirmed that the skids did not comply with the regulations. The relevant measurements were even lower than those measured originally by the Technical Delegate.

"Accordingly the Stewards determine that a breach of the Technical Regulations have occurred. The Stewards then heard submissions on penalty.

"The Team argued that mitigating circumstances existed in that there was additional and unexpected porpoising at this event, limited opportunity to test due to the weather on Day 1, and shortened practice sessions. Further the Team submitted that the degree of the breach was lower than prior breaches of this regulation in 2025.

"The FIA argued that unfortunately there was no provision in the regulations or in precedent for any penalty other than the usual penalty (i.e. disqualification). The FIA noted that it strongly held the view that the breach was unintentional and that there was not deliberate attempt to circumvent the regulations.

THE EXPERT TAKE

"On the face of it, this is a disqualification for both McLarens, a clear breach of the rules on every kind of normal stewards' investigation and result that we've seen," Sky Sports F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz said.

"When the rear-most skid block is less than 9mm, there's very little McLaren can do to try and claim force majeure or that something was happening. They are trying that, as we understand. "There are all sorts of reasons McLaren will be explaining as to why they maybe weren't able to get the true read of their skid-block wear.

"Maybe they thought it was going to be a two-stop race. Maybe the bumps were worse than expected. Maybe they didn't get enough of a read on the conditions in practice.

"But it doesn't matter. If you run your car too low you are getting an advantage that the other teams would consider unfair because it's breaking the rules."

Piastri needed to beat his teammate to give himself a better chance going into the final rounds, but a difficult start hampered his efforts to make an impact early on.

“I’d be devastated after this," Jenson Button said of Piastri's race. "He needed to challenge Lando and he hasn’t had the chance to do that.”

Piastri crossed the line in fifth but earned a fourth place promotion thanks to a five-second penalty handed to the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli.

The Australian now needs everything to go his way and for his teammate to falter if he's a chance of winning a maiden title.

There was a fair amount of chaos in the opening laps with Lance Stroll and Gabriel Bortoleto both forced to retire while others collided forcing a virtual safety car early on.

Norris also relinquished the lead on the opening turn, but conceded the fault was all his.

Speaking after the race, the Briton said: “I let Max have a win, no it was my eff up.

"Not my best performance out there. Max did a better job. I f----d it up. I’ve had a good run, the pace was good today. Max drove a good race, and I made the mistake. I was too punchy."

Revised top 10:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2. George Russell (Mercedes)
3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
6. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
7. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
9. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
10. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

MAX VERSTAPPPEN WINS THE LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX

There is a fuel issue for Lando Norris and he is well off the pace now, protecting his second place finish. George Russell completes the podium.

LAP 45 Verstappen leads

Kimi Antonelli is driving an incredible race. His tyres are so old and he is defending that spot superbly - but he will have the five seconds added to his time at the flag. He will likely slip back to 8th.

LAP 41

Totally forgot about Antonelli's five second penalty, so effectively, Piastri IS on to finish 4th.

This is how close it is.

LAP 39 Verstappen leads and lays down the fastest lap

Piastri with a good chance to get into 4th coming up. He is eating into Antonelli's lead and will catch the Mercedes driver, who is on a one-stop, very soon. Plenty of laps left for him to make this happen.

Right in Piastri's rear view however is the Ferrari of Leclerc.

Piastri makes the move and doesn't get the position and in doing so the Aussie has lost time and is almost wheel to wheel with the Ferrari.

Incredible battle for 4th .

LAP 35 NORRIS INTO SECOND

DRS and the McLaren too strong for the Mercedes, Lando is into second and 4.9 seconds behind Max.

Verstappen has been told "Norris has been told to come and get you".

Max silent.

Let's say this is how the race ends, Verstappen (leading) will have 366 points, Norris (3rd) 408, Piastri (5th) 376.

LAP 34 - Verstappen leads

An interesting radio message from Russell in second. He doesn't want to risk his podium so is essentially asking if he should let Lando into second so he ensures a good result without destroying his tyres.

Norris meanwhile is being told to attack attack attack and get in front of the Mercedes because he has the pace to challenge Max for the win.

LAP 32 Bearman makes move on Alonso

An incredible battle going on between 10-12th spot. Ollie Bearman now in a world champion sandwich with Hamilton in front of him and the rookie's just made a stunning move on Fernando Alonso.

What a season he's having.

LAP 29 - Verstappen leads

Let's say this is how the race ends, Verstappen (leading) will have 366 points, Norris (3rd) 405, Piastri (5th) 376.

Crazy to think Max was over 100 points behind Piastri in August.

HALFWAY DISTANCE

Verstappen pits and retains his lead - only just. Russell is chasing him and is significantly faster. Norris back up to fourth and Piastri back in 8th. Ocon is still out on his mediums - which is utterly nuts. Hamilton in 5th yet to pit and Antonelli who is also ahead of the Aussie has a 5 second penalty to serve.

Theoretically Piastri will get back into 5th shortly.

"I don't think we have race winning pace," Zac Brown on the McLarens. That's deflating.

LAP 24 Pit stops all round

Piastri and Norris have pitted for fresh tyres. Plenty of drivers yet to stop but Norris is 4th with Verstappen leading and yet to pit.

Piastri is back out in 9th.

McLaren advising their drivers that their chances to make moves will be at the end of the race.

LAP 20

A five second penalty for Alex Albon now, race start infringement. Verstappen leads, Norris now second with Russell pitting for new hard tyres.

Norris is flying now he has clear air.

RACE ORDER

1-10: Verstappen, Russel, Norris, Sainz, Leclerc, Piastri, Hadjar, Hulkenberg, Bearman Ocon

Lap 16 - virtual safety car

Five-second penalty for Antonelli for starting the race too early. That's gonna sting.

A great battle going on for 6th at the moment between piastri and Hadjar. The Aussie could have made the move on the first turn but there is debris all over the track.

PIASTRI GETS THE OVERTAKE!

Lap 13 Disaster for Piastri

He's just lost another position, this time to Charles Leclerc. The Aussie now sits 7th.

Leclerc is dominating this at the moment, tearing up the track and he's up to 5th now.

Up front, Russell is on the radio saying he's having steering issues. The Mercedes is currently second behind Verstappen.

Lap 9

No further action on Piastri or Lawson. Both were under investigation for the contact on the first lap. Would have been ridiculous if the Aussie copped anything for that.

Verstappen lead with Russell behind. Norris is third and Piastri 6th.

Antonelli and Albon facing an investigation.

Lap 7 Marshals in near-miss

This is utterly shocking and ridiculous. not for the first time this season, marshals have been on track with F1 cars coming at them. Clearing the damage from that opening lap, these guys had to haul it off the track.

Has to be investigated. Only a few weeks since Lawson nearly hit track officials in Mexico.

Sky Sports F1 commentator Ted Kravitz said: “An absolutely shocking miscommunication between race control and those marshals on track.

“They have to investigate that later. The marshals opposite in pit lane could see their colleagues were out and were furiously waving the double yellows. Just lucky we escaped any incident.”

LAP 2 Virtual safety car

Liam Lawson is heading to the pits with significant damage to his car.

Replays of the start show Piastri and Lawson made contact on the first corner. A really aggressive start from Verstappen totally scrambled Norris and the McLaren went off track.

Retirement: Stroll is out of the race

LIGHTS OUT VEGAS

Carnage in Vegas! Verstappen leads

Lando Norris under so much pressure on the start and Max Verstappen has taken the lead! We have cars skidding all over the place and it’s a bad start from, Piastri as well.

Norris back in third after that start, Russell is in second.

Drivers on formation laps:

Front 10 drivers are on medium, six behind are on hards. Kimi Antonelli the only driver on softs. It's dry in Vegas, huge amount of rain yesterday so track will be a little slippery.

It's Vegas, expect some gambles, expect chaos.

Incredible first lap for Lewis Hamilton who is up to 12th from 19th!

2:45pm Podium or title race over?

Jenson Button says Piastri needs to take this to Norris in a big way this afternoon of his title hopes are over.

"The second half of the year, it's been so tricky for him," ex-McLaren driver Button said on Sky F1. "He’s such a talent. He is still so young.

"Today he really needs to take the fight to Lando, he has to be aggressive from 5th and if he can’t do that then it feels like it’s championship over."

Lando is 24 points ahead of Piastri and 49 up on Max Verstappen. This race start will be aggressive, there is not doubt.

2:35pm Hamilton not dead last

The seven-time world champ is 20th on the grid, but will move up to 19th with confirmation Yuki will be starting the race from the Pit Lane after some changes to his car.

Just not working out for Tsunoda is it. No way he's driving a Red Bull next season. Surprised he's lasted this long.

2:30pm What to expect:

Piastri will start 5th in Vegas where he will need a good result to stay in contention for the world title.

Norris, who start on pole, is 24 points ahead of him with just three races and a sprint left on the calendar.

"It's Las Vegas after all, so a lot could happen," Piastri said. "You know we've seen pretty entertaining races here the last couple of years, a lot of action, so hopefully I can get myself involved on the right side of that action and make up some ground tomorrow."

GRID

1. Lando Norris - McLaren
2. Max Verstappen - Red Bull
3. Carlos Sainz - Williams
4. George Russell - Mercedes
5. Oscar Piastri - McLaren
6. Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls
7. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin
8. Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls
9. Charles Leclerc - Ferrari
10. Pierre Gasly - Alpine
11. Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber
12. Lance Stroll - Aston Martin
13. Esteban Ocon - Haas
14. Ollie Bearman - Haas
15. Franco Colapinto - Alpine
16. Alex Albon - Williams
17. Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes
18. Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber
19. Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull
20. Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari