Verstappen Capitalizes on Norris's Error to Win Las Vegas GP, McLaren Faces Disqualification Threat
Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix after Lando Norris made a critical error on the first lap, securing his sixth season victory and tightening the championship battle. Compounding McLaren's woes, both Norris and Oscar Piastri face potential disqualification due to their car's floor plates being found too thin, a ruling that could significantly shake up the F1 standings with only two races remaining.
A crucial error on the first corner decided the Las Vegas Grand Prix, as Lando Norris lost the lead, allowing Max Verstappen to secure the victory and keep the championship battle alive. Meanwhile, both McLaren drivers, Norris and Oscar Piastri, face potential disqualification due to their car's floor plates being found too thin, which could significantly impact the championship standings.
Why it matters:
Lando Norris's mistake at the start handed Max Verstappen his sixth win of the season, reigniting the championship fight with just two races remaining. The potential disqualification of both McLarens for a technical infringement, if confirmed by the FIA stewards, could have massive repercussions, stripping Norris of critical points and further tightening the title race.
The Details:
- Norris's Costly Error: Despite starting from pole position as the championship leader, Lando Norris aggressively cut off Verstappen and overshot the first corner, sliding off the ideal line. This opened the door for Verstappen and George Russell, costing Norris the lead and ultimately the victory.
- Verstappen's Composed Performance: Verstappen quickly capitalized on Norris's misstep, maintaining his lead throughout the race. Norris, after being stuck behind Russell, could only pass him on Lap 34 when the Mercedes experienced steering issues, by which point Verstappen was out of reach.
- McLaren's Disqualification Threat: Post-race FIA measurements indicated that the floor plates on both Lando Norris's and Oscar Piastri's McLarens were too thin. Such a clear rule violation typically leads to disqualification, which would see Norris lose his second-place finish and substantially narrow his championship lead over Verstappen.
- Notable Performances: Nico Hülkenberg delivered a strong performance for Sauber, moving from eleventh to ninth place, earning two points with a strategic tire choice. Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes showcased an impressive comeback, climbing from 17th to fifth. Charles Leclerc secured sixth for Ferrari, and Lewis Hamilton improved from 20th to tenth.
By the numbers:
- Race Result: Max Verstappen secured his 69th Grand Prix victory and sixth win of the season. Lando Norris finished second, 20.741 seconds behind, with George Russell in third.
- Championship Standings (Pre-Disqualification Decision): Norris leads with 408 points, Piastri is second with 378, and Verstappen is third with 366 points. If McLaren is disqualified, Verstappen would only be 24 points behind Norris.
- Team Standings (Pre-Disqualification Decision): McLaren leads the constructors' championship with 786 points, followed by Mercedes (423) and Red Bull Racing (391).
What's next:
The FIA stewards are currently reviewing the case of McLaren's floor plates. A decision is expected soon, which could drastically alter the championship picture. If disqualified, Norris would lose significant points, bringing Verstappen much closer in the title hunt with only two races left in the season. The outcome will set a tense stage for the final races as the championship battle intensifies.