Max Verstappen secured a significant win at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Sunday, which was further boosted when Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were both retroactively disqualified from the race. Initially, Norris held a 24-point lead over Piastri in the drivers’ standings, with Verstappen trailing by an additional 25 points in third place.
Following his victory in Vegas, Verstappen managed to close the gap on Norris to just 42 points, overtaking Piastri to tie for second place due to McLaren’s disqualifications. With only two races left in the season, plus an upcoming sprint race, Norris remains ahead by 24 points.
Shortly after the race, McLaren’s Norris and Piastri were summoned before the stewards due to suspicions raised by FIA technical chief Joe Bauer regarding their cars’ skid blocks not meeting post-race regulations, leading to their disqualification.
Verstappen, who had already triumphed by overtaking pole-sitter Norris, saw his position strengthen as both McLaren drivers faced penalties for skid block violations. Meanwhile, George Russell of Mercedes moved up to second place after initially finishing third in Vegas, with his teammate Kimi Antonelli securing a podium finish in third place.
With the championship battle intensifying, Verstappen needs Norris to lose considerable points to have a shot at the title. The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix and the season finale in Abu Dhabi will play crucial roles in determining the ultimate winner, with Verstappen aiming to maintain his winning streak in Qatar.
In a potential tiebreaker scenario, the championship could hinge on the number of race wins, where Norris currently leads with seven victories. Despite Norris’ consistent performances earlier in the season, Verstappen’s recent podium streak has increased the pressure on the McLaren driver as the season approaches its conclusion.
Current Standings:
1. Lando Norris – McLaren (390)
2. Oscar Piastri – McLaren (366)
3. Max Verstappen – Red Bull (366)
4. George Russell – Mercedes (294)
5. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari (226)
As the season progresses, the title race remains open, with Verstappen and Norris battling for supremacy as they head into the final races.