Max Verstappen’s win at the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix has gained more significance following the disqualification of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from the race. Norris, who led Piastri by 24 points in the drivers’ standings, now finds himself level with Piastri due to the disqualifications, with Verstappen trailing by 25 points in third place.
Verstappen, representing Red Bull, has closed the gap on Norris to 42 points by securing victory over the Brit in Vegas. Piastri finished fourth in the race, and now both Verstappen and Piastri share the second position after McLaren’s disqualifications, leaving Norris still ahead by 24 points with just two races and a sprint race left this season.
Following the race, McLaren’s Norris and Piastri were summoned before the stewards as their cars’ skid blocks were found to be too thin to comply with regulations, leading to the annulment of their results. Verstappen’s elation from overtaking Norris for the win escalated with the news of McLaren’s troubles.
Mercedes also has reason to celebrate as George Russell was promoted to second place after initially finishing third in Vegas. Russell’s teammate, Kimi Antonelli, moved up to third, marking his third podium finish in a remarkable debut F1 season.
Despite the limited points available for the rest of the season, the focus now shifts to the Qatar Grand Prix followed by the finale in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen, the reigning champion, needs Norris to drop significant points for a chance at the title. However, recent developments have given Verstappen a glimmer of hope in his pursuit.
The possibility of a tiebreaker looms if Verstappen and Norris end up tied in points, with the championship potentially decided by race wins. Norris, with seven wins, currently leads Verstappen in this aspect.
While Norris maintains an edge due to his strong performances earlier in the season, Verstappen’s recent streak of podium finishes and wins has intensified the competition as the season draws to a close.
The current standings are as follows:
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)
The upcoming races will be crucial in determining the championship outcome, with Verstappen aiming to defend his titles in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.