Formula 1: title race blown open after Verstappen win, Norris, Piastri disqualification
McLaren boss apologises to drivers over car infringement; Red Bull driver’s win narrows gap in drivers’ championship with two rounds left
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday and roared back into the Formula One title battle after the shock disqualification of McLaren’s championship leader Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri.
Norris, who started on pole and finished second, and fourth-placed Piastri were ruled out for technical reasons linked to the under-car skid planks hours after the race had ended and the podium champagne sprayed.
The development left Britain’s Norris 24 points clear of four-time world champion Verstappen and Australian Piastri, now tied on points, with two rounds to go in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and 58 points available.
McLaren have already clinched the constructors’ crown for the second year in a row.
Stewards had summoned both McLaren drivers after a post-race FIA inspection found the thickness of the plank assembly was below the permitted minimum.
McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella offered a forthright apology to both drivers.