Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri faced disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to a technical breach. Post-race inspections revealed that the planks under the McLaren cars were below the required 9mm thickness, indicating an unauthorized ride height. Consequently, both drivers were excluded from the final standings.
The incident significantly impacts the championship race, with Max Verstappen emerging victorious in Las Vegas. Following the disqualification of Norris and Piastri, Verstappen now shares points with Piastri and trails championship leader Norris by 24 points with two races left.
After the race, both McLaren drivers underwent a lengthy hearing with the stewards, lasting over an hour and concluding in the early hours of the morning. Norris, who initially finished second after starting from pole position, lost ground to Verstappen and George Russell due to an aggressive defense move that pushed him back to third.
Despite attempting to regain positions, Norris couldn’t challenge Verstappen’s dominance. His disqualification means he must now defend his championship lead against his McLaren teammate and Verstappen in the upcoming races.
Before the disqualification news, Norris expressed disappointment with his performance, admitting his mistakes during the race. Acknowledging Red Bull’s superior pace, he vowed to work harder to enhance McLaren’s competitiveness. Looking ahead, he plans to unwind with golf and padel before focusing on the next race in Qatar.