McLaren’s Las Vegas disqualification tightens the title race as Verstappen closes on Norris

The 2025 Formula One title battle has taken an unexpected turn following McLaren’s double disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The ruling, handed down after the chequered flag, has significantly altered the shape of the drivers’ championship with only two races left on the calendar. While Lando Norris remains ahead in the standings, Max Verstappen has moved closer in both points and betting odds as the contest tightens in dramatic fashion.

The Las Vegas weekend had appeared to place Norris in a strong position. He finished second on the road, with his team-mate Oscar Piastri taking fourth after what had been a competitive showing from McLaren under the lights of the Strip. However, the post-race scrutineering process revealed that the floor planks on both McLaren cars had worn beyond the permitted limit. As a result, the FIA issued a double disqualification that removed both sets of points from the final classification.

The consequences were immediate. Norris, who had previously held a comfortable advantage in the drivers’ standings, saw his margin reduced. Verstappen, who won the race, gained the full benefit of the ruling and closed further on his rival. The shift in momentum was reflected in the betting markets, where sportsbooks adjusted their odds to reflect the new landscape. Norris remains the favourite with a strong probability of securing the title, but the gap has narrowed. Verstappen’s odds have shortened, bringing him into clearer contention as the season enters its decisive phase.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella addressed the situation after the ruling became public. Speaking following the disqualification, he offered both an explanation and an apology. Stella said that during the race, both cars had experienced levels of porpoising that the team had not observed in any of the practice sessions. According to Stella, the unexpected oscillations led to excessive contact between the cars and the track surface, which in turn caused the floor planks to wear beyond the FIA’s tolerance.

Stella expressed regret for the outcome, particularly given the importance of the points lost at this stage of the year. He apologised directly to Norris and Piastri, acknowledging that the drivers had delivered strong performances that would now go unrewarded. Stella also extended the apology to McLaren’s partners and fans, emphasising the value of their support and recognising the frustration such a ruling can create.

For Norris, the timing of the setback could not be more critical. His season has been marked by consistent point-scoring and podium results, which have kept him ahead in the standings throughout much of the campaign. Losing the points from Las Vegas places additional pressure on him heading into the final two rounds, where any slip could allow Verstappen to overturn the remaining difference.

Verstappen, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate strong form. His win in Las Vegas not only brought maximum points but also reinforced the sense that his momentum is building at precisely the right moment. As the race weekend drew to a close, the title fight appeared more open than it had been for several rounds, with the psychological balance shifting as well as the numerical one.

The spotlight now turns to Qatar, where the next instalment of the championship battle will unfold. Norris faces the task of regaining control of a title race that had briefly appeared to be tilting decisively in his favour. Verstappen approaches the weekend with added confidence after capitalising fully on both his own performance and McLaren’s difficulties. With only two races remaining, each session on track becomes a vital opportunity in a title contest that has been reshaped by a single regulatory ruling in Las Vegas.