Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri Disqualified from Las Vegas Grand Prix

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have been disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to a technical infringement, a ruling that significantly reshapes the race results and adds a dramatic twist to the championship battle. The McLaren drivers, who originally finished second and fourth respectively, were penalized after their cars' skid planks were found to have excessive wear, falling below the mandatory 9mm minimum thickness.

Why it matters:

This double disqualification marks a historic first for McLaren and throws a wrench into the drivers' championship standings. While Norris retains his lead over Piastri, the points gap has tightened considerably with Max Verstappen now drawing level with Piastri. This incident not only affects the individual drivers but also has implications for the constructors' championship, highlighting the razor-thin margins and strict technical regulations in Formula 1.

The Details:

• Original Results: Lando Norris finished P2, extending his championship lead, while Oscar Piastri finished P4.
• Post-Race Investigation: Both McLaren cars were placed under investigation immediately after the checkered flag for suspected technical infringements.
• Infringement Found: The skid planks on both cars were found to have worn beyond the permitted limits, measuring less than the mandated 9mm thickness at the end of the race.
• Stewards' Hearing: McLaren representatives met with the stewards at 23:45 local time to present their case and hear the officials' findings.
• Disqualification: The stewards ultimately ruled to disqualify both Norris and Piastri from the Grand Prix results.
• Historic Precedent: This is the first time in McLaren's history that both of its cars have been disqualified from a Grand Prix.

By the numbers:

• George Russell has been promoted to second place, moving up from his original P3 finish.
• Kimi Antonelli, Russell's Mercedes teammate, now secures the final podium spot, advancing from P5.
• Norris maintains a 24-point lead over Piastri in the championship.
• Max Verstappen, after his victory in Las Vegas, is now level on points with Piastri, intensifying the battle for second in the standings with only two rounds remaining.

What's next:

The disqualifications have set the stage for a tense conclusion to the season. With the championship picture tightening and Mercedes gaining crucial points, the upcoming races will be critical. McLaren will need to swiftly address the technical issue to avoid further penalties and ensure their cars comply with regulations. The focus now shifts to how the remaining two rounds will play out, with every point becoming even more valuable in the fight for both driver and constructor honors.