McLaren went into the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend with momentum, but instead of consolidating their advantage, they left with a shocking double disqualification that dramatically reshaped the title fight.
Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were stripped of their finishes, second and fourth on track respectively, after post-race scrutineering revealed their skid blocks had excessive wear below the 9 mm regulatory limit.
Team Principal Andrea Stella issued a heartfelt apology to both drivers, the team, and the fans, calling it an “extremely disappointing” outcome.
He explained that the wear resulted from unexpected porpoising (vertical bouncing) that was far more severe than in their practice sessions.
McLaren argued the breach was unintentional and emphasized that the FIA accepted there was no deliberate attempt to break the rules.
Championship cushion shrinks for McLaren
The fallout couldn’t have come at a worse time.
With both drivers disqualified, Max Verstappen’s Las Vegas win now carries much more weight: he climbs to tie on points with Piastri, while Norris’s lead is cut to just 24 points with only two rounds remaining (Qatar and Abu Dhabi).
Before the DSQ, McLaren had looked poised to close out the title, but now the door is wide open.
The 58 points still available in the final events are now more critical than ever.
McLaren’s Self-Assessment
McLaren say they are investigating exactly what went wrong.
Stella confirmed that, in addition to the porpoising, both cars sustained “accidental damage” during the race.
The increased floor movement, he explained, may have worsened plank wear.
Norris also revealed that in the closing laps, the team instructed him to lift and coast, not for fuel saving, as initially thought, but to manage the skid-block wear.
Piastri, meanwhile, said he was “disappointed to come away with no points after an unfortunate disqualification”.
Both drivers called for a need to reset and refocus.
What This Means Moving Forward
McLaren can no longer take anything for granted.
Verstappen is right back in the fight alongside Piastri, and Norris’s once-healthy margin is now razor-thin.
The skid-block issue highlights a deeper issue with McLaren’s car setup and how it behaves under race conditions. If they don’t address it, more problems could follow.
Of course, Norris can seal the title next weekend, where 38 points are up for grabs, if he can outscore both rivals by 2 points in Doha. But, with the title on the line, McLaren must rebuild composure quickly.
McLaren’s double DSQ in Las Vegas marks one of the most dramatic twists of the 2025 season. They still lead, but the margin for error has shrunk. The next two weekends will test whether they can return to their original form.
Featured Image Credit: McLaren Racing Media