When the checkered flag fell on the Las Vegas Grand PrixLas Vegas Strip Circuit on November 22, 2025, fans expected a dramatic title showdown. Instead, they got chaos. Max Verstappen crossed the line first, but the real story unfolded hours later: both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri — McLaren’s twin pillars of championship contention — were disqualified for technical infringements. The FIA’s official results, released on November 23, 2025, erased their finishes and left the Drivers’ Championship landscape reshaped overnight. Norris still leads with 390 points, but now he’s not just holding off Piastri — he’s holding off Verstappen too, who surged to 366 after his win.
Championship Chaos: How Disqualifications Reshaped the Title Race
Before the race, Norris led Piastri by exactly 24 points — 390 to 366 — and held a commanding 49-point edge over Verstappen. But when Verstappen won, and McLaren’s cars vanished from the results, the math flipped. Verstappen’s 25 points pushed him into a tie with Piastri at 366, cutting Norris’s lead over the Dutchman to just 24 points. Suddenly, the title fight wasn’t just between teammates — it was a three-way thriller. With only two races left — the Qatar Grand PrixLusail International Circuit on November 30 and the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixYas Marina Circuit on December 7 — just 58 points remain up for grabs. Norris needs only a 26-point advantage over Piastri after Qatar to seal the title. That’s achievable: a win and a podium would do it.
The Technical Infringement: What Went Wrong?
The FIA hasn’t disclosed the exact nature of the violation, but sources close to the team suggest it involved the car’s rear floor geometry — a known area of scrutiny since the 2022 aerodynamic rule changes. Teams are required to maintain minimum ride heights and skirt tolerances under load, and McLaren’s cars reportedly failed post-race laser scans. Oddly, neither driver was penalized during the race, and both had been leading early. Norris started from pole, and Piastri was running second before their disqualification. The lack of transparency has frustrated fans and analysts alike. "It’s the kind of thing that makes you wonder if the rules are being applied consistently," said former F1 engineer and analyst Sarah Chen on RacingNews365. "If it’s a one-off, fine. But if this is a pattern, then McLaren’s entire 2025 season might have been built on a technical gray zone."
Who Benefits? Verstappen, Russell, and the Underdogs
Verstappen’s win wasn’t just a victory — it was a lifeline. After a sluggish second half of the season, Red Bull Racing has found its rhythm. His 366 points now put him in direct contention with Piastri, and he’s only 24 behind Norris. Meanwhile, George Russell capitalized on the chaos, finishing second to bring his season total to 294 — a career-best. His teammate, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, made headlines by clawing from 17th on the grid to third, despite a five-second penalty for a false start. Antonelli’s 137 points are the most ever for a rookie in his debut season, and he’s now within striking distance of Lewis Hamilton, who climbed to 152 points after finishing eighth.
Constructors’ Battle: McLaren Still on Top — But for How Long?
Despite the double DQ, McLaren F1 Team still leads the Constructors’ Championship with 756 points — a 325-point cushion over Red Bull Racing. But that gap is deceptive. The team’s entire 2025 campaign was built on Norris and Piastri’s consistency. Now, with both drivers ineligible for points in Vegas, McLaren’s lead is purely historical. Red Bull (391), Mercedes (431), and Ferrari (378) are all within striking distance. With 101 points still available, McLaren’s grip on the title is tightening — not because of performance, but because of the sheer volume of points they banked early. "They’ve got the points, but not the momentum," said F1 historian David Kettle. "If they don’t score in Qatar, this could unravel faster than anyone expects."
What’s Next? The Final Two Races — A Perfect Storm
The Qatar Grand Prix on November 30 is a high-speed, low-downforce circuit — ideal for Verstappen’s Red Bull and Russell’s Mercedes. Norris, who thrives on high-grip tracks, may struggle. Piastri, meanwhile, has shown he can win under pressure — he took victory in Singapore this year. If Norris finishes fifth or lower and Verstappen wins, the championship could be tied heading into Abu Dhabi. And if McLaren’s technical issues aren’t resolved, they risk being disqualified again. The pressure is now on the team’s engineers — not just to fix the car, but to restore faith.
Behind the Scenes: Apologies, Crashes, and Rising Stars
Elsewhere, Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls issued a public apology after a late-race collision with Alexander Albon, costing both drivers valuable points. Albon, now with 73 points, is stuck in a battle with Carlos Sainz Jr. for ninth in the standings. Meanwhile, the emergence of Antonelli — and the consistent performances of Lewis Hamilton, now in his 19th season — remind us that F1 is still about the next generation rising, even as legends fight to stay relevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lando Norris win the 2025 F1 title in Qatar?
Yes — if Norris finishes at least second in Qatar and Piastri finishes fifth or lower, Norris will have a 26-point lead with only 34 points left in Abu Dhabi. That would make him champion before the final race. Even a win and a 10th-place finish for Piastri would be enough. The math is tight, but entirely possible.
Why weren’t Norris and Piastri penalized during the race?
FIA regulations allow post-race technical inspections to catch violations that aren’t visible during the event, such as aerodynamic deviations or weight distribution issues. The infringement was detected via laser scans and data analysis after the race, which is standard procedure. Drivers aren’t penalized mid-race unless the violation affects safety or is overtly illegal during the event.
How does this affect McLaren’s chances in the Constructors’ Championship?
McLaren still leads with 756 points — but their lead is built on past performances. If they score zero points in both remaining races, Red Bull (391) and Mercedes (431) could overtake them. McLaren needs just 17 points total to secure the title, but the disqualification exposed vulnerability. Their reliability and technical compliance are now under scrutiny.
Is Max Verstappen still a realistic title contender?
Absolutely. With 366 points, he’s tied with Piastri and only 24 behind Norris. He’s won the last two races, and Red Bull’s car is peaking. If Norris has a bad weekend in Qatar and Verstappen wins, the championship becomes a three-way tiebreaker — and Verstappen has more wins this season (7) than Norris (5), giving him the edge in the tiebreak.
What’s the significance of Kimi Antonelli’s performance?
Antonelli’s rise from 17th to third — despite a penalty — is historic. He’s now the highest-scoring rookie in F1 history, surpassing Max Verstappen’s 2015 record. At 18, he’s already outperforming seasoned drivers. His performance signals Mercedes’ long-term plan is working, and he could be the heir to Hamilton’s throne — if he avoids mistakes.
Why hasn’t the FIA released details about the McLaren infringement?
The FIA typically withholds technical details to prevent teams from reverse-engineering the fix or exploiting loopholes. Teams are notified privately, but public disclosure is rare unless it’s a safety issue. This opacity frustrates fans, but it’s standard practice — similar to how the 2023 Red Bull floor controversy was handled. The focus is on compliance, not transparency.
