Drama in Vegas! The Las Vegas Grand Prix results have been thrown into chaos after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren face potential disqualification due to technical infringements. Post-race inspections revealed that the skid blocks on both cars were less than the minimum depth allowed by F1 regulations.
What Happened?
Following the race, officials discovered that the rearmost skid on both McLarens measured less than 9mm, violating technical regulations. This technical breach typically leads to immediate disqualification, putting Norris and Piastri's finishing positions in jeopardy.
Impact on Championship Standings
If Norris and Piastri are indeed disqualified, the championship standings will undergo a dramatic shift. Max Verstappen, who won the race, would significantly close the gap on both McLaren drivers. Currently, Norris leads Piastri by 30 points and Verstappen by 42. However, a disqualification would slash Norris's lead to just 24 points over both Piastri and Verstappen, blowing the championship fight wide open.
The initial standings showed Piastri with 378 points (+30) and Verstappen with 366 (+42). With the potential exclusion, the standings would change to Piastri 366 (+24) and Verstappen 366 (+24).
Fuel Saving Tactics and Uncertainty
Even before the skid wear issue surfaced, there was uncertainty surrounding Norris's performance. He visibly lifted and coasted aggressively in the final laps, losing considerable time to Verstappen, seemingly in an attempt to conserve fuel. Radio messages suggested that the team was closely monitoring fuel levels, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation.
With 58 points still up for grabs in the remaining two races – the Qatar Grand Prix (including a sprint race) and the Abu Dhabi finale – the championship battle is far from over. This unexpected twist in Vegas has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the F1 season. Will McLaren be penalised? And can Verstappen capitalise on this opportunity?