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Norris and Piastri disqualified from Las Vegas Grand Prix as Verstappen cuts gap

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Clock Icon12 hoursMotorsport

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix for technical infringements after Max Verstappen boosted his drivers' championship hopes with another win.

Norris and Piastri crossed the line in second and fourth, respectively, but were then called to the stewards, and the skid blocks on both cars were found to be less than the minimum depth.

Their disqualifications ensured Verstappen drew level with Piastri in the standings and moved 24 points behind championship leader Norris with two races remaining, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

A maximum of 58 points are still up for grabs with Qatar being a sprint weekend, with Verstappen now having renewed hope of a record-equalling fifth championship in a row.

The Red Bull driver was supreme from the off in Sin City, powering past pole-sitter Norris on turn one before pulling away on new hard tyres in the second half of the race.

Verstappen was a whopping 16 seconds clear by the final lap, with Norris being urged to slow down over McLaren's team radio due to a possible fuel issue.

Norris just about held off George Russell to cross the line in second, 2.8 seconds ahead of the Mercedes man, with Piastri following in fourth.

McLaren attempted to argue against the disqualifications of Norris and Piastri by saying "accidental damage" could have moved the floor of their cars, but the FIA ruled that was insufficient mitigation to avoid a penalty.

The FIA said: "The team argued that mitigating circumstances existed in that there was additional and unexpected porpoising at this event, limited opportunity to test due to the weather on day one, and shortened practice sessions.

"Further, the team submitted that the degree of the breach was lower than prior breaches of this regulation in 2025. The FIA argued that unfortunately, there was no provision in the regulations or in precedent for any penalty other than the usual penalty (i.e. disqualification)."

Russell's team-mate Kimi Antonelli finished fifth, though the disqualifications of the McLaren pair lifted him to his third podium finish of the campaign – and his second in as many weeks.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Williams' Carlos Sainz, Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg all finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who complained after the race that he had endured his "worst season ever." He crossed the line in 10th but ended up with an eighth-placed finish.

Data Debrief: Viva Las Vegas for Verstappen 

Verstappen's win was his 69th in Formula One overall and his sixth of the season, while it also made him the first driver to ever win twice in Las Vegas (also in 2023, record includes 1981 and 1982 races as the Caesars Palace Grand Prix).

The Dutchman led the race from the first lap to the last, the 18th time he has achieved that feat overall and the fourth in 2025, after Emilia-Romagna, Azerbaijan and the United States. Only in 2023 (five times) has he done so more often in a single year.

Of course, Verstappen had to overtake Norris early on to claim the lead, making this his 33rd career win when not starting on pole. He has equalled Alain Prost as the driver with the third-most such victories in F1 history.

Verstappen is the only driver on the grid to make the podium at all eight races since the summer break, with momentum seemingly on his side going into the final two weekends.

REVISED TOP 10

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

2. George Russell (Mercedes)

3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Carlos Sainz (Williams)

6. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

7. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)

8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

9. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

10. Ollie Bearman (Haas)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Drivers'

1. Lando Norris – 390 

2. Oscar Piastri – 366

3. Max Verstappen – 366

Constructors' 

1. McLaren – 756

2. Mercedes – 431

3. Red Bull – 391