F1 championship leader Lando Norris and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri are both facing potential disqualifications from the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
In a bombshell moment for the title race, McLaren has been summoned to the stewards following the third-last race of the season, which was won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Norris finished second to extend his title lead over fourth-placed Piastri to 30 points, while his lead over Verstappen moved to 42 points.
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But both drivers’ cars were checked and alleged excessive skidblock wear has been found, similar to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc being DQ’d from the 2023 US Grand Prix.
Both men were then disqualified from this year’s Chinese Grand Prix as well while driving for Ferrari, though Leclerc’s was for his car being below the minimum weight.
An excessively worn skid block is illegal as it theoretically allows the car to run lower to the ground than is permissible and gain an advantage.
If the penalty is confirmed both Norris and Piastri would be disqualified, with Mercedes pair George Russell and Kimi Antonelli promoted to second and third respectively.
A referral by the technical delegate to the stewards like this one almost always results in a disqualification.
Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing Second placed Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 22, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hector Vivas/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Hector Vivas / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP
“The skid wear of car numbers 81 and 04 was checked,” the technical delegate’s report read.
“The rearmost skid was measured on both cars according to the team’s submission in accordance with TD039 M, item 1.2 b) i).
“The measured thickness was less than 9mm on both cars, which is the minimum thickness required by TR Article 3.5.9 e).
“I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”
Analysing pivotal Piastri lap 1 hit | 04:52
Should the disqualifications be upheld, Norris would be on 390 points, with Piastri and Verstappen tied on 366 points, less than a race win behind the leader with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to come.
It would therefore keep reigning champion Verstappen well and truly in the picture for a remarkable world championship.
In a silver lining for Piastri, the Aussie’s deficit to Norris would be reduced from the current 30 points back to 24 points.
Norris had to coast aggressively over the final few laps of the race due to a lack of fuel, later referencing “some issues with the car”.
“I am not sure how close it was, I don’t know if the sensor was saying things it shouldn’t have been, or we just used more than expected, or what it was,” he said.
“I don’t know the full extent, I need to go and see the team and understand more, to be honest.”
There are 58 points on offer in the final two races of the season.
