Max Verstappen’s win at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday received a significant boost as Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both disqualified from the race. This turn of events reshuffled the standings, with Verstappen now tied in points with Piastri for second place, while Norris maintains a 24-point lead with only two races and a sprint race left in the season.
The McLaren duo faced disqualification after a post-race inspection revealed that the skid blocks under their cars were too thin to meet regulations. Verstappen, who had already celebrated his victory over Norris, saw his chances improve further with McLaren’s disqualifications.
In a twist of fate, George Russell of Mercedes was elevated to second place from his initial third-place finish in Vegas, with his teammate Kimi Antonelli moving up to third, showcasing his impressive debut F1 season.
Despite having a maximum of 58 points left to earn this season, Verstappen remains hopeful as the championship moves to the Qatar Grand Prix, offering another sprint race before concluding in Abu Dhabi. The title race hinges on Norris losing crucial points, giving Verstappen a shot at securing the championship.
A tiebreaker scenario looms if Verstappen and Norris end up tied in points, with race wins being the deciding factor. Norris holds the lead with seven victories to Verstappen’s six, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the F1 season.
With Verstappen aiming to defend his crown by winning the remaining races and Norris facing pressure to maintain his lead, the championship battle promises to be intense in the closing rounds.