When Lando Norris crossed the line in qualifying at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand PrixLas Vegas Strip Circuit, he didn’t just beat Max Verstappen—he outsmarted the entire grid in the wet. But by Sunday night, his pole position meant nothing. The McLaren Formula 1 Team had won the qualifying war… only to lose the race before it even finished.
Wet Qualifying, Unexpected Dominance
It rained on Friday night in Paradise, Nevada. Not a downpour, but enough to turn the 6.2-kilometer street circuit into a slick, unpredictable mess. Drivers spun, locked brakes, and missed apexes. Yet Norris, 25, turned chaos into clarity. His 1:47.934 lap—just half a second quicker than Verstappen—wasn’t just fast. It was fearless. He’d been seventh in FP2. He’d been 19th in FP3. No one expected this. Not even his own team. "Pole in such tricky conditions was definitely not easy," Norris said afterward. "We certainly weren’t expecting this coming into the weekend." His teammate, Oscar Piastri, was right behind him in fifth—until yellow flags waved on his final flying lap. "Without those yellows," said Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, "he could’ve been on the front row." The qualifying session was a masterclass in adaptation. Norris posted 1:54.544 in Q1 under soaking conditions, then shaved 2.4 seconds off in Q2 as the track dried slightly. His Q3 lap—1:48.961—was the one that stunned everyone. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit, which hosted its first F1 race in 2023, had never seen a British driver on pole. Now it had two McLaren drivers in the top five.The Race That Never Was for McLaren
Come Sunday night, the track was dry. The lights went out. Norris started first. Verstappen, second. The opening laps were clean, tense. Norris held the lead until Lap 12, when Verstappen—using a more aggressive tire strategy—slid past on the inside of Turn 9. Norris didn’t fight back. He was conserving tires. He was waiting. He thought he had it. Then, Lap 47. A small cloud of smoke. A minor scrape against the barrier at Turn 15. Nothing dramatic. Nothing visible on TV. But the stewards were watching. And they’d been watching since Friday. Hours after the checkered flag, the announcement came: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were disqualified for a skid wear infringement. The rear skid blocks on both MCL39 cars had worn beyond the 1.5mm legal limit. It wasn’t a crash. It wasn’t a fuel issue. It was a technicality—quiet, technical, and devastating. "We didn’t realize the wear was that severe," Stella admitted in a post-race presser. "We followed the data. We followed the protocols. But the FIA’s measurement is final. We’re disappointed. We’re angry. But we accept it." The disqualification promoted George Russell to second and Kimi Antonelli—the 19-year-old Mercedes rookie—to his first podium. Verstappen won for the second straight year in Las Vegas, his 32nd career victory.
Championship Fallout: A Team Already Victorious, Now Punished
Here’s the twist: McLaren had already won the Constructors’ Championship in Singapore. They didn’t need more points. But Norris led the Drivers’ standings with 390—24 clear of Piastri, 49 ahead of Verstappen. Now, both McLaren drivers lost 25 points each. Norris dropped to 365. Piastri to 341. Verstappen climbed to 366. Suddenly, the title fight was alive again. "It’s not just about points," said F1 analyst and former driver David Coulthard. "It’s about perception. Norris looked untouchable. Now he looks vulnerable. Teams will smell blood. And Verstappen? He’s not just winning races—he’s winning minds." The FIA’s decision was technically sound. Skid block wear is a known anti-tampering measure. But the timing? Brutal. The race had already ended. Fans had celebrated Norris’s pole. Social media had exploded with #NorrisPole. Now, the hashtag turned to #McLarenDQ.What Happened to the Rest?
The race itself was a mess of drama. Alex Albon and Lewis Hamilton collided on Lap 5. Gabriel Bortoleto and Lance Stroll tangled at Turn 1, both retiring. Hamilton, starting last, clawed his way to 10th—his only point of the season—on a hard tire gamble. Fernando Alonso, 44, finished 13th. The Haas duo of Ocon and Bearman missed points by 0.3 seconds. It was a race of ghosts and near-misses. Verstappen’s fastest lap—1:33.365—was nearly a second faster than anyone else’s. He didn’t just win. He dominated. And with Norris and Piastri out, he’s now just one point behind the new championship leader: George Russell, who moved to 378 points.
What’s Next?
The season ends in Abu Dhabi in two weeks. McLaren will appeal the technical decision—but the FIA rarely reverses skid block rulings. Norris will need to win in Abu Dhabi, and hope Verstappen finishes outside the top three. Russell? He’s now the favorite. The bigger question: Did McLaren’s focus on the Constructors’ title make them careless? Did they push the skid blocks too hard, assuming the FIA wouldn’t check? Or was this just bad luck? "We’re not making excuses," Stella said. "But we’re not done yet." And that’s the thing about Formula 1. Even when you think you’ve won, the race isn’t over until the paperwork is signed.Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Norris and Piastri disqualified for skid wear?
The FIA measures rear skid blocks—plastic wear strips under the car—to prevent teams from lowering the ride height illegally. Norris and Piastri’s blocks had worn below the 1.5mm minimum. While minor, the wear was consistent across both cars, suggesting deliberate tuning. The FIA doesn’t penalize based on intent, only measurements. Even if McLaren didn’t know, the violation stood.
How did this affect the Drivers’ Championship standings?
Before the DQ, Norris led with 390 points, Piastri was second with 366. After disqualification, both lost 25 points, dropping to 365 and 341 respectively. Verstappen gained 25 points to reach 366, overtaking Piastri. George Russell, now second in the race, moved to 378—making him the new championship leader by 13 points over Verstappen.
Is this the first time McLaren has been DQ’d for skid wear?
No. In 2022, McLaren was penalized for excessive skid block wear in Monaco, but only fined and docked constructor points. This is the first time since 2018 that a driver has been disqualified from a race result for this violation. The FIA tightened enforcement after several teams exploited loopholes in 2023, making it a zero-tolerance rule now.
What does this mean for McLaren’s future in F1?
McLaren’s credibility took a hit, but their performance this season proves they’re back at the top. The team has already begun reviewing their data monitoring systems and will likely install real-time skid wear alerts for 2026. Norris and Piastri remain contracted through 2027. This DQ won’t break them—but it will haunt them until they win the title without controversy.
Could Verstappen have won without the disqualification?
Almost certainly. Norris was holding a steady pace, but Verstappen was faster on worn tires and had superior race pace. Even if Norris had stayed in second, Verstappen likely would’ve pulled away in the final 10 laps. The DQ didn’t hand him the win—it just removed the last obstacle. He was going to win anyway. The real story is how quickly McLaren’s momentum vanished.
Why didn’t the team notice the skid wear during the race?
Skid block wear is rarely monitored live. Teams rely on post-race inspections and telemetry trends. McLaren’s engineers saw normal wear patterns in FP3 and assumed they were safe. The FIA’s post-race laser scans revealed the true extent. It’s a blind spot in modern F1: teams optimize for performance, not compliance checks. That’s changing now.
Vusumuzi Moyo
I am a journalist specializing in daily news coverage with a keen focus on developments across Africa. My work involves analyzing political, economic, and cultural trends to bring insightful stories to my readers. I strive to present news in a concise and accessible manner, aiming to inform and educate through my articles.
16 Comments
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Sandhiya Ravi
November 29, 2025 AT 01:45poor lando i feel so bad for him he was doing so well and then this happens
it’s not fair that one tiny thing ruins everything after all that hard work
hope he comes back stronger next race
the team must be heartbroken -
JAYESH KOTADIYA
November 30, 2025 AT 23:59LMAO 🤣 Norris thought he was king of the strip but the FIA came with the mic drop 🎤📉
McLaren tried to cheat with skid blocks like it’s 2012 and nobody’s watching 😂
Verstappen didn’t need the DQ-he was gonna win anyway. The real story? McLaren’s ego got crushed by a plastic block. 🤡
Also, why are we even surprised? Ever since they won constructors, they stopped caring. Lazy. -
Vikash Kumar
December 2, 2025 AT 20:42McLaren got played. Hard.
They thought they’d already won. They didn’t.
The FIA doesn’t care about your feelings.
Verstappen? He’s not just winning races.
He’s rewriting the narrative.
And Norris? He’s now the cautionary tale.
Next time? Don’t get cocky.
It’s not a race. It’s chess. -
Alok Kumar Sharma
December 3, 2025 AT 13:12McLaren deserved this. They’ve been cutting corners since Singapore. They won the constructors’ title and then coasted. Now they’re paying the price.
It’s not about the points. It’s about integrity.
And let’s be real-Norris was never that fast. He just had the best car.
Now the car’s useless. And so is he. -
Tanya Bhargav
December 4, 2025 AT 10:34i think the fia should’ve warned them before the race not just penalize after
it’s not like they didn’t try to follow the rules
the system is broken if they can’t see it in real time
norris was just trying to win
now he’s being punished for trying too hard -
Sanket Sonar
December 5, 2025 AT 12:00Skid block wear thresholds are a relic. They were designed for 2005, not 2025.
Teams don’t ‘tamper’-they optimize. The FIA needs dynamic thresholds based on track temp, tire compound, and load cycles.
Otherwise, you’re just punishing precision.
Also, Verstappen’s fastest lap was 1.3 seconds faster than anyone else’s. That’s the real story. Not plastic. -
pravin s
December 5, 2025 AT 22:29man i just hope norris doesn’t lose his confidence over this
he’s got so much talent
and the team seems like they’re still fighting
maybe this is just the wake-up call they needed
we’ll see what happens in abu dhabi -
Bharat Mewada
December 7, 2025 AT 09:27Formula 1 is a paradox. The fastest car doesn’t always win. The most careful team doesn’t always win. The most skilled driver doesn’t always win.
But the team that understands the rules best? That’s who wins.
McLaren forgot that. They treated the regulations like suggestions.
Verstappen? He plays the game. Not just the race.
This isn’t about skid blocks.
This is about the difference between brilliance and wisdom. -
Ambika Dhal
December 8, 2025 AT 20:45McLaren is a joke now.
They won the constructors’ title and immediately started acting like champions.
They didn’t earn it.
They got lucky.
And now the universe corrected them.
Norris? He’s not a hero.
He’s a cautionary tale wrapped in a helmet.
And the FIA? They’re the only ones with integrity left in this sport. -
Vaneet Goyal
December 9, 2025 AT 09:17Let me be clear: This was not an accident. This was negligence. And negligence is a choice.
McLaren had data. They had sensors. They had engineers. They had time.
They chose to ignore the signs.
Now they’re paying the price.
And yes-I’m glad.
Because if you’re going to play in the big leagues, you don’t get to cut corners.
Not even once. -
Amita Sinha
December 10, 2025 AT 11:25poor lando 😭💔
he looked so happy on the podium in qualifying...
now he’s got nothing
and verstappen just smiled and took it all 🤡
the fia is so cold
why punish someone after the race? that’s just cruel
they should’ve told them during the race!!
this is why i hate f1 now -
Bhavesh Makwana
December 11, 2025 AT 09:29Look, this sucks for McLaren-but it’s also a gift.
They’ve been flying high since Singapore. Now they’re grounded.
That’s not a punishment. That’s a reset.
They’ll come back smarter. Tighter. Hungrier.
And when they win the title in 2026? It’ll mean something.
Right now? This is the most important moment in their season.
Not the pole. Not the win.
This. -
Vidushi Wahal
December 13, 2025 AT 02:13i don’t know why everyone’s so shocked
the fia has been tightening these rules since last year
mcclaren just didn’t pay attention
and norris… he’s young
he’ll learn
maybe this is what he needs
to stop thinking he’s invincible -
Narinder K
December 13, 2025 AT 12:54So let me get this straight…
They disqualified the pole-sitter because the plastic under his car wore down too much?
And you’re calling that ‘fair’?
Next they’ll DQ someone for having a slightly dirty airbox.
What’s next? Penalty for smiling too wide after a lap?
Just admit it. The FIA is bored.
And they needed a story. -
Narayana Murthy Dasara
December 15, 2025 AT 06:25Everyone’s focused on the DQ, but what about the race itself?
Verstappen was just… faster. No drama. No luck. Just pure, clean dominance.
And Russell? He’s got the points now. But can he hold it?
McLaren’s got heart. They’ll bounce back.
This isn’t the end.
It’s just the beginning of a new chapter.
And honestly? That’s what makes F1 beautiful.
Even when you lose, you still have a chance to rise again.
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Surbhi Kanda
November 27, 2025 AT 10:06The skid block violation is textbook FIA protocol-zero tolerance, no intent required. McLaren's telemetry didn't flag it because they weren't monitoring live wear thresholds. That’s a systemic blind spot in modern F1: teams optimize for downforce, not compliance. The FIA’s laser scans are non-negotiable. This isn’t sabotage-it’s oversight. And frankly, if you’re running skid blocks at 1.4mm, you’re already playing with fire.
Teams will now be forced to install real-time wear sensors. The cost? Maybe $200k per car. But the alternative? Another DQ in Monaco. This isn’t punishment. It’s evolution.
Also, Verstappen didn’t win because of the DQ-he won because he’s the best driver on the grid. The disqualification just removed the illusion of competition.
McLaren’s appeal is pointless. The FIA doesn’t reverse skid block rulings. Not since 2018. Accept it, recalibrate, and come back harder.