McLaren Drivers DQ at Vegas as Verstappen Dominates James Sutton - Formula 1 - Getty ImagesPhillip HortonSun, November 23, 2025 at 11:06 AM UTC·3 min readMax Verstappen’s prospects of a fifth straight Formula 1 world title were handed a huge boost at the Las Vegas Grand Prix following the exclusion of both McLaren drivers.
In a huge twist, which was only confirmed in the early hours of Sunday morning several hours after the race, both McLaren drivers were excluded due to a breach of the technical regulations.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementChampionship leader Lando Norris had initially classified in second place, with Oscar Piastri fourth, but post-race were referred to the stewards after technical checks found that the thickness of the rearmost skid plank did not conform with the regulations.
On both MCL39s the measurement taken was less than the required 9mm thickness, with the relevant measurements being taken of 8.88mm at the front, and 8.93mm at the rear.
As a consequence Norris and Piastri were both thrown out of the results.
Skid plank wear has caught out teams in the past, particularly at bumpy circuits, most prominently Ferrari at this year’s Chinese Grand Prix.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt means that Verstappen, who won the race after taking the lead from Norris at the start, now moves to just 24 points behind the McLaren driver, and is now level on points with Piastri.
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella after meeting with the FIA stewards. Kym Illman - Getty ImagesVerstappen had trailed Norris by 42 points, with Piastri 30 behind Norris, prior to the disqualification of the McLaren drivers.
A total of 58 points are available across the final two grands prix in Qatar, where there will be a Sprint Race, and Abu Dhabi.
Despite the blow, Norris can still clinch the title in Qatar next Sunday if he holds a lead of 26 points or more.
As a consequence of the exclusion of both Norris and Piastri, Mercedes moves into a double podium position, with George Russell second, and Kimi Antonelli third.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnother beneficiary is Haas, which had classified 11th and 12th with Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman, and now moves into a double points finish in ninth and 10threspectively.
How the race unfolded prior to exclusions
Verstappen took the start from second place but Norris’ aggressive cut to the inside blocked his line, only for the McLaren driver to slide wide on the dusty track and gift the Dutchman the lead.
From there Verstappen was briefly threatened by George Russell, but that challenge subsided as soon as it began, and Verstappen was able to run a conventional one-stop strategy to cruise to the win.
Both McLarens were disqualified hours after the race concluded. CRISTOBAL HERRERA ULASHKEVICH - Getty ImagesRussell took too much out of his tires during the early phase of the second stint and was helpless to prevent Norris from powering past, and was even reeled in during the closing laps by Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNorris initially gave chase to Verstappen but he was unable to mount a sustained challenge and faded away in the closing stages.
Antonelli started from 17th place on the grid but made an early pit stop and managed his set of tires through the remainder of the race, keeping Piastri and Charles Leclerc at bay.
It was comfortably the least enthralling of the trio of grands prix to be held at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
The only major incident came at the start, when an out-of-control Gabriel Bortoleto clattered into Lance Stroll, causing terminal damage to both cars, with Pierre Gasly also caught up in the crash.
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